Failure to Administer or Document COVID-19 Booster Vaccination for Eligible Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the COVID-19 booster vaccine was administered or properly offered to two residents who were eligible and had provided consent. One resident, admitted with diagnoses including anxiety, hypertension, and depression, had moderately impaired cognition and was not up to date with COVID-19 vaccination. Although this resident gave consent for the COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, there was no documentation of consent for the 2024-2025 booster, nor any record that the vaccine was administered or refused. Review of clinical records and immunization consent forms did not show evidence that the booster was offered or given, and the Infection Preventionist could not explain why the vaccine was not administered. Another resident with schizoaffective disorder, anemia, and nutritional deficiency, also with moderately impaired cognition, was similarly not up to date with COVID-19 vaccination. Consent for the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine was obtained from the responsible party, but there was no documentation that the vaccine was administered or refused. The Infection Preventionist acknowledged responsibility for obtaining consents and administering vaccines but was unable to provide a reason for the failure to offer or administer the booster. Facility policy required that new admissions be offered vaccination after a clinic, but this was not followed for these residents.