Kaiser Permanente: Workforce Vaccine Policy Toolkit & Vaccine Booster Shots Update
Kaiser Permanente provided information on their workforce vaccine policy toolkit, COVID testing, and vaccine booster shot updates.
Workforce vaccine policy toolkit
Supporting your clients in getting their employees vaccinated is more than just the right thing to do — the health of your and your clients’ businesses depend on it. There’s a legitimate business case for having a vaccine policy in place. The threat of another surge and subsequent shutdown poses great economic and employment consequences. And a fully vaccinated workforce is a potential business advantage — many consumers and job applicants are actively seeking out companies that are taking action to keep their employees and customers safe.
For insights and tools for your clients to implement a vaccine policy in their organization, download and share the workforce vaccine policy toolkit.
COVID-19 testing
As businesses develop and evaluate their workforce policies around COVID-19 vaccinations and testing, Kaiser Permanente wanted to remind you that Kaiser Permanente does not provide or cover COVID-19 testing required by employers, except as required by applicable law. This includes testing for return to work or for unvaccinated employees. If your clients’ business has a testing requirement, Kaiser Permanente recommend they have a process in place and share it with their employees, letting them know where they should be tested as well as the frequency and timing of testing.
On September 9, the White House announced a new COVID-19 action plan focused on getting more Americans vaccinated and increasing COVID-19 testing for those who remain unvaccinated. Kaiser Permanente is waiting for final rules from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to determine if there will be any changes to coverage.
The best, and most cost effective, way for your clients to protect their employees from COVID-19 is by requiring masks and vaccinations. Vaccination is the most powerful tool in the fight to end this pandemic, prevent more dangerous strains from developing, and protect the health of communities.
Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots update
On September 24, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that a Pfizer booster dose should be administered at least six months after completion of the Pfizer primary series for:
- People 65 or older
- Long term care facility residents
- People 50 through 64 with underlying medical conditions
The CDC advised that the Pfizer booster may be administered at least six months after completion of the primary Pfizer series for:
- People 18 through 49 with underlying medical conditions based on individual benefit and risk
- People 18 through 64 who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting
At this time, boosters are only approved for individuals who received the Pfizer vaccine. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine boosters have not yet been approved by the FDA.
Kaiser Permanente will provide appointment information as it becomes available. Kaiser Permanente members do not need to call or email their doctor.
Visit the FDA or CDC websites for more booster shot news and updates.
For more information on the vaccine, visit kp.org/covidvaccine. You can also call Kaiser Permanente's 24/7 KP COVID Vaccine InfoLine at 1-855-550-0951 (available in English and Spanish) for regular recorded updates.
For questions or help with a Kaiser Permanente quote, please contact your B&P Sales Rep – 888.722.3373.