On Feb. 22, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) updated its State Public Health Officer Order requiring hospitals to verify health care worker vaccination status and test unvaccinated workers.
The revised order allows workers who have completed their primary COVID-19 vaccination series and who provide proof of COVID-19 infection after vaccination to defer their booster for up to 90 days from the date of their first positive test or clinical diagnosis. In some situations, this may extend the deadline to receive the booster dose beyond March 1.
Workers granted a deferral due to a proven COVID-19 infection must receive their booster dose no later than 15 days after the expiration of their deferral. CDPH also revised several All Facilities Letters accordingly, including 21-27.3 (general acute care hospitals), 21-28.3 (skilled-nursing facilities), 21-29.3 (acute psychiatric hospitals, clinics, other facility types) and 21-34.3 (all facilities).
CHA continues to advocate for an extension of the March 1 booster deadline for all health care workers.