February 3, 2021 @ 4:30 p.m.
Every Wednesday, Dr. Sherrill Brown, Medical Director, Infection Prevention; Berenice Constant, Vice President, Government Affairs and Civic Engagement; and Steven Satzger, Director, Learning and Training, update our clinic and corporate line of business leaders.

This morning Olivia Lee, Manager, Legislative and Advocacy Affairs, presented on behalf of Government Affairs.  

You can listen to today's recording here or read today's notes here.
Sherrill Brown, M.D.
Berenice Constant
Steven Satzger
Questions and Communications

During the COVID-19 vaccination administration, we will email updates to employees as more information becomes available. Please be alert to communications from your center managers, clinic administrators, site medical directors, department managers/leaders, and Employee Health, including emails, memos, newsletters, department huddles and/or cell phone text messages.

We welcome your questions, suggestions and input. We do review each question and respond appropriately, so please continue to email us—click here. Know that this is a safe space and most questions will be answered individually prior to being shared anonymously with staff.

How to Stay Informed
  • Wednesday morning COVID-19 huddles
  • Wednesday afternoon COVID-19 Alerts emailed to all employees
  • COVID-19 resource and policy pages on Town Square
  • altamed.org/coronavirus
  • Periodic emails, as needed

FAQs
  • Click here to read the weekly FAQs (answers to new questions are pending)
  • Refer to the weekly FAQs in earlier editions of the COVID-19 Alert to see if your questions have already been answered
Commonly Asked Questions and Answers

Please refer to the FAQs in the previous COVID Alerts—most questions have already been answered. Managers: Please cascade information to your staff and encourage them to read the COVID Alerts that are sent to all employees.

Q: Should we wear two masks from now on to prevent COVID-19?
A: The CDC recently recommended that people wear masks with two or more layers of breathable fabric. Please refer to the CDC website on the appropriate use and wearing of masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Q: Does the second dose of the Moderna vaccine need to be given exactly 28 days after the first dose? If you miss your second dose and get it later, will you need to start again or will it still be as effective?
A: The second dose is recommended to be given at 28 days for the Moderna vaccine. Per the CDC, it is ok to get it up to four days early or up to two weeks late. Vaccine doses prior to 24 days or later than 42 days will not require repeat dosing of vaccines or starting over. The vaccine clinical trials were not conducted with timing intervals outside of these recommended ranges, therefore we cannot comment at this time whether they will still be as effective.
Employee Second Dose Vaccines Continue This Week

Employee Vaccinations
Employee vaccinations for the second dose of the Moderna vaccine are scheduled for February 4, 5 and 6 at both the Anaheim and Corporate locations—you are scheduled to return to the same location where you received your first dose.

Text and/or email appointment reminders have been sent:
  • Please do not miss or change your pre-scheduled appointment.
  • Bring your vaccination card with you.
  • Wear a short-sleeved shirt.

Employees scheduled for their second dose vaccinations the following week will be sent reminder texts and/or emails starting next week.

Share Your Story #OneShotAtATime
We encourage AltaMed employees to share their vaccination experience on social media, and tag us in posts and stories so we can share them too. Refer to the Employee Social Media Guide which provides detailed instructions on how you can share your story.
Patient Vaccine Update
 
AltaMed has been informed that our Anaheim vaccination site will be receiving the Pfizer vaccine to distribute to patients aged 65 and older who live in Orange County. We are finalizing our appointment process and will share with patients soon.
 
Resources for Patients
  • Talking Points and Informational Handouts: Talking Points will be available for clinic staff, providers and leaders to share with patients. Informational handouts can be accessed on Town Square to download—copies will be sent to clinics.
  • Employee Video Testimonials: Several AltaMed employees shared their personal and heartfelt messages of why they received the vaccine. These video testimonials will be displayed on monitors in clinics and offices throughout the organization.
  • AltaMed COVID Vaccine Hotline, (888) 909-5232: This recording is updated regularly and provides timely information about the vaccine process and AltaMed’s phase in this process.
  • AltaMed.org/vaccine Webpage: Our vaccine webpage is updated regularly with the most current information and additional resources for our patients and the community.
  • MyAltaMed: Patients should register and use the app to stay informed. Offer to send patients an instant activation link to set up their MyAltaMed account.
Key Updates and Reminders On Vaccine Availability

Federal Government
  • The Biden administration has announced it will begin shipping about one million COVID-19 vaccine doses a week directly to thousands of pharmacies in an attempt to address equity concerns and speed up vaccination efforts. The program will begin February 11 on a limited basis. Click here to learn more.

  • CVS confirmed they will begin vaccine appointments through California, starting with approximately 81,000 doses in 11 different locations, including Los Angeles, Irvine, and Huntington Beach. Click here to read more.

State and Federal Government Announce Pilot Partnership to Open Additional Vaccination Sites
  • Sites in Los Angeles, including California State University, Los Angeles, and in Oakland will carry out a pilot project for federal efforts to open vaccination sites nationwide. These sites will provide targeted support to communities hit hardest by COVID-19. To read more, click here.

Orange County Vaccine Resource—Reminder
  • Visit the Orange County Health Care Agency website to learn more about vaccine availability or to schedule an appointment.

Los Angeles County Vaccine Resource—Reminder
  • Visit the Los Angeles County Public Health website to learn more and schedule a vaccine appointment.

One Year Ago
  • Last week marked one year after the first case of the coronavirus was recorded in Los Angeles county. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti shared information on the city's vaccination effort and the work being done to end the pandemic. Please click here to read more.

COVID-19 Tracker
  • Click here to see where California stands.
Always Follow Safety Guidelines

  1. Wear your masks—Face masks are to be worn at all times over your nose and mouth (except when drinking or eating), and should be stored properly or discarded. Patients need to wear masks at all times in examination rooms as well.
  2. Maintain hand hygiene—Staff should have easy access to hand sanitizer dispensers to clean hands frequently, and should wash hands for 20 seconds at a time.
  3. Practice physical distancing—Stay six feet apart from other individuals whether inside or outside.
  4. Wipe down any work surfaces you touch.
  5. Patient-facing staff, including front office if no plexiglass barrier is used, should wear a face shield or eye covering in addition to a face mask—avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  6. Employees must wear appropriate PPE when on site.
Human Resources Reminders

Performance Management
  • Manager reviews are underway and due by Friday, February 12. Managers should begin scheduling performance discussions with their employees to discuss the performance review once their manager reviews are complete. For questions, contact [email protected]. 

Employee Assistance
  • In trying times, employees have access to our Life Assistance Program (formerly known as EAP or Employee Assistance Program). Information can be found on Town Square under HR – Benefits – Cigna Life Assistance Program. There are resources on topics, such as grief and stress, and offer referrals to counselors.
AltaMed on Social Media

Please follow AltaMed on social media and share our stories with your network of friends, family and colleagues—Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Every Thursday at 12:00 p.m., Dr. Ilan Shapiro, Medical Director of Health Education and Wellness, shares helpful and relevant information as part of the Vital Conversations series via Facebook. Join the conversation and share with others.
Please Note: If you are contacted by the media with questions about the coronavirus outbreak or for any other reason, please email Veronica Orozco, Sr. Manager, Public Relations. The Public Relations team monitors all media coverage of AltaMed (social and traditional platforms) to uphold our reputation. If you have questions and concerns regarding media coverage, please call Veronica at (323) 482-3073. If you'd like to read news releases from AltaMed, visit our external website, AltaMed.org under Newsroom.