On February 1, CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure issued a letter to health care facility administrators on the importance of COVID-19 staff vaccinations. She wrote, “Increasing the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, including the booster shot, is the most important tool you have against staffing shortages.”

In outlining the current CMS requirements, the letter also noted that CMS recommends that facilities review the vaccine rule guidance released on December 28, 2021; January 14, 2022; and January 20, 2022 for additional information.