IMPERIAL COUNTY LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITY: The Local Health Authority Commission met in closed session on Nov. 8 for discussion of current and potential contracting models relating to Knox Keene licensing, pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 14087.38 (m) (n).
SHIGELLA OUTBREAK: There has been a Shigella outbreak (Shigellosis) in San Diego County. Currently there are 35 confirmed and three probable cases among people experiencing homelessness. It was first identified Oct. 7, with four new cases occurring between Oct. 28 and Nov. 8. The majority of cases are at multiple locations in central San Diego, but no source of the outbreak has been identified. The county has created a web page that includes more information on what it is doing to mitigate the outbreak.
CHILDREN’S COVID-19 VACCINE: The California Health Alert Network San Diego has issued Health Advisory Update #43 on COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine age indication. Provider actions requested in the advisory include:
- Listening to the recorded webinar on how to enroll in the California COVID-19 vaccination program and participating in COVID-19 vaccination, if not already enrolled
- Remaining up to date on COVID-19 vaccine clinical considerations including contraindications and precautions
- Considering co-administration of routine childhood and adolescent vaccines with COVID-19 vaccine to catch children up on any missed vaccines
- Reporting vaccine-related adverse events and deaths, as well as vaccine administration errors, to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System and the County Immunization Program at HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov
or by fax to (619) 692-5677
VACCINE MANDATES CHART: In response to member questions, CHA has created a side-by-side comparison of the three federal vaccine mandates and the California public health officer order requiring health care workers to be vaccinated. California hospitals that participate in the Medicare or Medi-Cal program must comply with the state public health officer order and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandate (interim final rule), barring future court action. At this time, all three federal vaccine mandates have been challenged in court, although only the OSHA mandate has been enjoined at this time. More details on the mandates can be found on the CHA website. CHA has also compiled a document with links to the relevant orders, regulations, FAQs, and other materials related to the state and federal vaccine mandates.
SPACE WAIVER, OUT-OF-STATE LICENSEE EXTENSIONS: On Nov. 12, the California Department of Public Health formally extended the space waiver until March 31, 2022, with the release of All Facilities Letter 20-26.11. Similarly, the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) updated its authorization on its website to allow approval of out-of-state health care personnel to practice in California until March 31, 2022. For details, see EMSA’s COVID-19 website under “Authorization of Out-Of-State Medical Personnel.” Both of these formalized the authority granted to the two departments with the release of the governor’s executive order on Nov. 10, which extended from Dec. 31, 2021, until March 31, 2022, these and other authorities.
