May 18, 2021
In today’s update, you will find important information, including:
- Updated FAQs to Answer Members’ COVID-19 Vaccine Questions
- Reminder: Masking Guidance and Greeter Script
- No Need to Space Out COVID-19 Vaccine with Other Vaccines
- KPNW COVID-19 Trends
- Inspire Wellbeing – Enter the Weekly Drawing
Updated FAQs to Answer Members’ COVID-19 Vaccine Questions
Last week, KPNW began administering the Pfizer vaccine to children 12 and older – and members had questions. We’ve updated our member FAQs to help you answer those questions about the vaccine and other COVID-19 concerns. Find the new version on our COVID-19 Resources NW page under Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Member FAQs.
Reminder: Masking Guidance and Greeter Script
On Thursday, May 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new information on masking for fully vaccinated people. This new guidance will continue to be looked at by the CDC and state health departments, and may change based on the level of community spread of the coronavirus, the number of fully vaccinated people, and further study of COVID-19 vaccines. However, these recommendations do not apply to health care settings. Masks are still required in all Kaiser Permanente facilities, including nonclinical offices. For more information, read the joint leadership message sent Friday from Mary Giswold, MD, Stella Dantas, MD, and Wendy Watson.
Greeters are sharing this guidance: “Welcome in! For your safety and the safety of others, state health departments are continuing to require anyone over the age of 2 to wear a face mask whenever you are in one of our buildings. If you do not have one with you, I am happy to provide one for you. Thank you.”
No Need to Space Out COVID-19 Vaccine with Other Vaccines
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that COVID-19 and other vaccines may now be administered without regard to timing, across all authorized age groups. This includes simultaneous administration of COVID-19 and other vaccines on the same day, as well as coadministration within 14 days.
What do you need to know?
- COVID-19 vaccine may be administered on the same day or at any time interval.
- This is especially important when other vaccines are needed for clinical reasons such as post-exposure vaccination, high-risk indication, travel-related immunization, time-dependent immunizations, or patients overdue for routine vaccines.
- Do NOT turn away any patients for vaccination due to timing of COVID-19 vaccination.
- All affected documents, forms, and patient handouts are being updated to reflect this new recommendation.
KPNW COVID-19 Trends
From KPNW researchers, scientists, and physicians, effective May 17. Based on review of internal trends and external considerations our findings are:
- OR/WA is in the process of peaking; infection rate is now below the 1.0 threshold and dropping (R0=0.93).
- New cases have been dropping; hospital census appears to be peaking with some short-term variability but is likely to begin dropping in the near term.
- Internal hospital census (ADC) weekly average was down 11% from last week to this week (27 to 24). Census was 26 on May 16. ADC forecast is at this level or lower by May 23 (w. error).
- Internal ICU census weekly average was up slightly (6%) from last week to this week (4.4 to 4.7). Internal ICU had 7 patients on May 16. ICU patients were 27% of COVID+ internal hospital census on May 16.
- KPNW COVID+ weekly average of daily cases was down 28% from last week to this week (86 to 69). Case counts are forecast to drop by May 23 (w. error).
Weekly Testing Turnaround Times
The average routine COVID-19 testing turnaround time (TAT) for the week of May 10 to May 16 is 20 hours. Member communications, including kp.org and call center scripts, inform members that TAT is usually within 24-48 hours so they can plan accordingly for travel.
Vaccination Quick Facts
Here is a snapshot of the most current vaccination data as of May 17. Visit the newly enhanced COVID-19 Quick Facts Dashboard for up-to-date, key data on the virus and vaccines.
Inspire Wellbeing – Enter the Weekly Drawing
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Healthy Workforce wants to recognize employees who are doing a great job of improving mental health and well-being for themselves or inspiring their co-workers. Enter into a weekly drawing. Winners will be selected weekly through the month of May to receive a gift that promotes self-care.
Words from Our Members
“Well, COVID-19 Vaccine Time! I have never been to this location but after making an appointment on KP.org, I went to get my shot and it was the most harmless, easy, and satisfying an experience I could have had in regard to getting a shot. The facility is brand new, the ability to check in was quick and the doctor administering the vaccine was a real professional. It was a humbling experience all together and this was a great place to get vaccinated. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay masked up! We are not out of the woods yet.”