COVID-19 Update | April 1, 2021

Staff Contact: Daniel Landon

Gov. Parson and key leaders of his administration participated in a conference call with the MHA membership on the state’s response to the COVID-19 emergency. It was the 30th such call with the MHA membership since the pandemic began. The calls provide an opportunity for an update on state activities and hospital issues, and for hospital executives to ask questions and make comments.

State officials said that the vaccine supply is growing, and they are working to direct that capacity to hospitals that want to continue their community vaccination activities. MHA member comments verified that demand for vaccine is falling below vaccine supply. Also, the state’s $5 million advertising campaign to promote COVID-19 vaccination and testing will help offset contrary media messages that are common in rural areas.

Staff Contact: Keri Barclay or Kara Amann-Kale

Pfizer and BioNTech reported that their COVID-19 vaccine remains highly effective after six months based on findings from ongoing trials. The companies will continue to monitor participants for two years and hope to provide additional information on protection beyond six months soon. The findings also indicate the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is effective against the B.1.351 variant first identified in South Africa.

Staff Contact: Keri Barclay or Kara Amann-Kale

This week, Pfizer and BioNTech reported results from their Phase 3 vaccine trial in adolescents 12 to 15 years of age. Clinical trial results show 100% efficacy and robust antibody activity following two doses of the vaccine. Side effects identified in this age group were similar to those in people ages 16 to 25. Pfizer and BioNTech are expected to request expansion of the current emergency use authorization to include this age group.

Last week, Pfizer and BioNTech began a global Phase 1/2/3 study to evaluate safety, tolerability and immunogenicities of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children ages six months to 11 years old. The study is split into three age groups: 5 to 11 years, 2 to 5 years and 6 months to 2 years. Dosing began last week for the 5- to 11-year-old group with plans to begin the 2- to 5-year-old group next week.

Staff Contact: Mary Becker

In a recent article, Capital Region Medical Center, located in Jefferson City, Mo., said women should take note of an increased chance of a false alarm if getting a mammogram shortly after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Swollen lymph nodes can be a sign of breast cancer; however, this also is a normal reaction to a vaccine.

CRMC says that, if possible, patients should schedule mammograms before their first COVID-19 vaccine or at least four weeks after the second dose. “This makes any swollen lymph nodes from the vaccine less likely to appear on your mammogram. But you should not delay care your doctor recommends getting urgently. Breast cancer screenings save lives. So even if you choose to delay your mammogram, don’t put it off indefinitely.”

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services updated the FAQs about retaining provider relief funds. MHA published a summary of the questions that were added on March 31.

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers may request lump-sum payments for administering COVID-19 vaccines in advance of cost report settlements. CMS states that it “will pay you for COVID-19 vaccines and administration at 100% reasonable cost like influenza and pneumonia vaccines.” CMS refers interested providers to contact their Medicare Administrative Contractor.

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a COVID-19 resource document that includes links and materials to keep providers up to date with the latest vaccine administration material, messaging about accessing health care services for non-COVID-19 related issues, and information about telehealth resources and options. CMS also points to a new analysis that shows “a significant decline in service use for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program beneficiaries, particularly for mental health and substance use disorders.”

Staff Contact: Sarah Willson

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, MHA has collaborated with Missouri Health Care Association and Leading Age Missouri to provide transfer forms to facilities and hospitals for communicating the COVID-19 status of patients and residents. The groups recently worked together to provide the latest revisions of the forms to include vaccination status, as well as other changes.

Staff Contact: Jane Drummond or Sarah Willson

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the end of suspended survey activity. QSO-21-16-Hospitals states normal survey activity will resume in accordance with QSO-20-35-All and establishes deadlines for investigating non-Immediate Jeopardy complaints received during the moratorium. Onsite revisits also will resume, and plans of correction must be submitted for deficiencies cited occurring on or after Jan. 20. Hospitals will have 90 days to cure non-IJ-level deficiencies. The memo also authorizes state survey agencies to conduct desk reviews of open surveys, except for unremoved IJ findings.

Staff Contact: Jessica Stultz

April is National Minority Health Month. Throughout the month, MHA will share information, resources and education through our various media outlets, including the COVID-19 Update, MHA Today and on social media. This year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health is focusing on the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on racial and ethnic minorities, and is underscoring the need for these vulnerable communities to get vaccinated as more vaccines become available. COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help us get back to normal, prevent the spread of COVID-19 and bring an end to the pandemic.

This year’s theme for National Minority Health Month is #VaccineReady, which empowers communities to get the facts and share accurate vaccine information, participate in clinical trials, get vaccinated when vaccine is available, and practice COVID-19 safety measures. OMH offers additional details and resources on its website, as well as through its email updates.