On Friday, October 16, the White House
announced the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program—a national vaccine distribution program for long term care residents.
The COVID-19 vaccine will likely become available in phases over the coming months. To prepare, the federal government has partnered with
CVS
and
Walgreens
to distribute and administer the vaccine to residents in long term care facilities. This program is free of charge and covers all of the reporting requirements associated with the vaccine. Vaccination for health care workers will be handled by states, and likely take place in early phases of distribution.
Long term care facilities (nursing homes, assisted living communities, ICF/IIDs and other congregate settings for older adults) will have until Friday, November 6 to register with the CDC on how they want to receive and administer the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Nursing homes will be able to register through the NHSN website, while assisted living communities and other congregate settings can register through an online survey.
“We deeply appreciate the Administration, CVS and Walgreens for partnering together to prioritize the distribution of an imminent vaccine to our most vulnerable population. With millions residing in our nation’s long term care facilities, our providers stand ready to help facilitate this monumental endeavor.
"AHCA/NCAL urges all nursing homes, assisted living communities and other congregate settings for older adults and individuals with disabilities to register for this program immediately and before the deadline.”
-
Mark Parkinson, President & CEO
We strongly encourage all long term care facilities to participate and register as soon as the portals open and before the deadline. This is critical to ensuring our vulnerable residents are among the first to receive a vaccine when it becomes available.
When registering, providers have the option of selecting one of four options to receive the vaccine and have it administered to their residents. This will also apply to any staff members who do not get vaccinated through the state. The four options are:
- Have CVS (partnering with Omnicare) come to your building and administer the vaccine.
- Have Walgreens (partnering with PharMerica) come to your building and administer the vaccine.
- Work with your existing pharmacy partner (LTC pharmacy), if they have the capability to meet the requirements
- Partner with another entity such as your hospital health care system, local/state health department, etc.
Important: Before selecting options 3 or 4, the provider should confirm that this entity has signed a provider agreement with CDC and your state, which confirms they can meet all requirements. In addition, providers are strongly encouraged to select a contingency option.
The CDC is offering the following resources regarding the program:
AHCA/NCAL is also offering an overview as well as a series of “Office Hours” with CDC staff to help answer your questions about this program.
Members can register for one of the “Office Hours” over the next two weeks on ahcancalED:
- Monday, Oct. 19th at 3:00 pm ET
- Wednesday, Oct. 21st at 3:00 pm ET
- Friday, Oct. 23rd at 3:00 pm ET
- Monday, Oct. 26th at 3:00 pm ET
- Wednesday, Oct. 28th at 3:00 pm ET