NAHC COVID-19 Vaccine Resolution
December 10, 2020
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented the world with unprecedented health challenges that affect every element of life;
WHEREAS, the health care community must utilize all resources available to provide care and to limit the spread of the deadly virus in the interest of public health and to be consistent with the ethical principle of “do no harm”;
WHEREAS, the home care and hospice community has been a leader in infection control while serving infected and non-infected patients;
WHEREAS, an emerging resource that may provide significant protection from COVID-19 virus infections is the availability and access to vaccine immunizations;
WHEREAS, the Advisory Commission on Immunization Practices at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that vaccination of all home care and hospice personnel, along with other health care personnel, is the highest priority as a matter in containing and controlling the spread and impact of the COVID-19 virus;
WHEREAS, immunization of home care staff, both clinicians with direct contact with infected patients as well as all other home care staff, may help prevent transmission of the COVID-19 virus, reduce risks of infirmity and death among the home care patients, and protect health care staff so they may be available to provide care to the overall patient population in home care:
It is hereby RESOLVED that:
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice urges all providers of health care in the home to:
- Encourage all home care and hospice staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccination at the earliest possible time consistent with vaccine guidance;
- Provide the support necessary to gain access to vaccines for home care and hospice staff;
- Provide access to comprehensive information and guidance to home care and hospice staff regarding COVID-19 vaccines to permit staff to make well-informed decisions regarding immunization;
- Encourage and support the availability and administration of COVID-19 vaccines to their patients and caregivers in the home; and
- Continue to employ the effective infection control measures that have been successful to date in addition to supporting the vaccination of staff and patients.
It is further RESOLVED that the undersigned members of the Board of Directors of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice pledge to take the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available within the applicable designated group prioritization.
LISTING OF NAHC BOARD MEMBERS
Mary Myers, Chairman, President/CEO, Johns Hopkins Home Care
Mark Sharp, Treasurer, Partner, BKD, Ltd
Brittnei Salerno, Secretary, President/CEO, La Jolla Nurses Homecare
William A. Dombi, Esq., President, National Association for Home Care & Hospice
Kenneth Albert, Esq., RN, President/CEO, Androscoggin Home Healthcare & Hospice
Jason E. Bring, Esq., Partner, Arnall Golden Gregory, LLP
David Causby, President, SVP Home Health, Kindred Care at Home
Melissa Jeremiah, Director of Operations, Hoosier Uplands Home Health Care and Hospice
Melanie Keller, CEO, Meritan, Inc.
Brent Korte, Chief Home Care Officer, EvergreenHealth
Craig Mandeville, Founder & CEO, Forcura
Sara Ratcliffe, Executive Director, Illinois HomeCare & Hospice Council
Sheldon Retchin, MD, MSPH, Senior Advisor to President, Health Sciences Administration, The Ohio State University
Denise Schrader, Vice President, Mosaic Life
William Simione III, Managing Principal, Simione Healthcare Consultants
Kathleen Sullivan, PhD, RN, Divisional Vice President, Post Acute Care Services, Dignity Health
Rod Windley, Executive Chairman, Aveanna