Failure to Administer Updated COVID-19 Vaccine After Consent
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 immunization was administered to one resident who was eligible and had provided consent. The resident, who had a history of acute respiratory failure with hypoxia, COPD, and asthma, was over the age of 65 and had last received a COVID-19 vaccine in November 2022. Documentation showed that the resident was not up to date with COVID-19 immunizations and had signed a consent form in October 2024 to receive the updated vaccine. Despite the facility's policy to follow CDC and state guidance for COVID-19 vaccination, and the CDC's recommendation for updated vaccination for individuals in long-term care, the resident did not receive the updated immunization after consent was obtained. The Infection Preventionist in Training confirmed during an interview that the resident had not been administered the updated vaccine, acknowledging that it should have been given once consent was secured.