Government
New flu, pneumonia vaccine requirements finalized
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 24, 2005
Nursing homes must provide influenza and pneumococcal disease vaccines to all residents if the facilities are to remain in Medicare and Medicaid, says a recent federal rule.
The final regulations from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services stipulate that nursing homes must offer the immunizations and related educational information to residents, who may refuse to receive the shots. Facilities must offer pneumococcal disease shots once to non-vaccinated residents and flu shots on an annual basis. Exemptions will apply to patients who cannot receive the vaccines for medical reasons.
CMS is also encouraging nursing homes to provide the vaccine for health care workers in the facilities, but this is not a requirement.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/10/24/gvbf1024.htm.