COVID vaccinations officially not required

CMS issued a final rule May 31 officially rescinding the regulatory requirement to vaccinate healthcare staff in hospitals and other health organizations against the COVID-19 virus.

In announcing May 11 as the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), the White House and CMS said vaccinations would no longer be required but said that guidance on the official termination would come later.

In a final rule prepublished today in the Federal Register, CMS said that the vaccination requirement was no longer required as part of Conditions of Participation, Conditions of Coverage or other requirements.

The rule, scheduled to be officially published in the register June 5, by regulation is not effective for another 60 days.

However, since the PHE has ended, CMS said “we will not be enforcing the staff vaccination provisions between now and” the date of publication in the Federal Register.