Alerts

This message is being sent from the Louisiana Department of Health Emergency Operations Center (LDH EOC) for the Louisiana Health Alert Network (LA HAN) recipients. This message is from the LDH Office of Public Health Immunization Program regarding Expansion of COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Criteria in Louisiana.

Expansion of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility criteria in Louisiana to include school and daycare teachers and support staff, adults aged 55-64 with high-risk medical conditions, and pregnant persons.

The State of Louisiana is announcing an expansion of the criteria for Phase 1b, Tier 1 of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. This expansion, effective Monday, February 22, includes all persons previously available in Phases 1a and 1b, Tier 1 and expands Phase 1b, Tier 1 to include:

• Teachers and any other support staff working onsite in K-12 schools or daycares
  • Teachers and staff actively working onsite should bring their employee badge or paystub
• Individuals aged 55-64 with at least one of the conditions listed by the CDC as placing them at an “increased risk of severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.” The CDC list of conditions can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html.
• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Down Syndrome
• Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
• Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30kg/m2 or higher but < 40kg/m2)
• Severe obesity (BMIC >40kg/m2)
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Smoking
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• All pregnant persons, regardless of age
• Providers/staff of Nonemergency Medical Transportation Services (NEMT), to be added to the currently eligible “ambulatory and outpatient providers and staff” category
• Election workers assigned to work the March and April 2021 elections whom carry a letter stating they have been selected, along with their ID.

Important: Persons with above mentioned medical conditions should be instructed to complete the Louisiana COVID-19 Vaccine Attestation Form which is attached to this Health Alert and will be posted on the Louisiana COVID Vaccination website.

COVID-19 Vaccine Providers:

• Providers should have self-attestation forms printed and available for patients who are to be vaccinated by virtue of a qualifying underlying medical condition. Patients are also able and encouraged to print the form at home and bring with them if they are able.
• You must keep all self-attestation forms for those claiming high-risk medical conditions for a period of 6 months, in a HIPPA-safe manner. After 6 months these may be destroyed. These records may be requested and audited if necessary.
• Providers can incorporate the self-attestation form into their online scheduling platforms. However, they must be able to retain an electronic copy for each patient.
• Other “proof” of a high-risk health condition, beyond self-attestation, is not necessary.
• Attestation need only occur on the 1st dose, not the 2nd dose (for those vaccines requiring 2 doses).
• All providers of COVID-19 Vaccines must follow the priority group guidance listed on the LDH COVID-19 Vaccination page, and NOT determine their own criteria for vaccine eligibility.

LDH OPH Immunization Program

Please find the emergency order here:  LDH Protocol for Administering COVID-19 Vaccines

Please read the attached Emergency Proclamation from Governor Edwards suspending certain statutes and rules for licensure and practice of RNs and APRNs in the state.

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Please see the resources below for information concerning the Covid-19 Coronavirus:

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LSBN COVID-19 Emergency Actions:

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The LSBN has returned to Phase 2 remote work with only essential staff on site and open to public by appointment only. This will continue at least through Governor Edwards’ latest proclamation effective November 25, 2020 through December 23, 2020. Further plans will be announced after December 23.

The board meeting agenda for August 20, 2020 has been posted online here.  If you would like to view other board meeting agendas or minutes you may do so here.

Please find Agenda with information here.

As of June 15, 2020, all hearings scheduled for June 17, 2020 settled. All Consent Orders, Delay/Denials, and Automatic Suspensions scheduled for ratification on June 17, 2020, will be presented for ratification following the regularly scheduled Board meeting on Thursday, June 18, 2020.

Letters advising nurses selected for audit of their 2019 nursing continuing education (CE) were emailed on February 28, 2020. Audit responses must be received at the Board office on or before March 12, 2020.

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