Summary of Recent Changes: Updates as of July 9, 2021

• Added information on offering and promoting COVID-19 vaccination.
• Updated to emphasize the need for localities to monitor community transmission, vaccination coverage, screening testing, and occurrence of outbreaks to guide decisions on the level of layered prevention strategies.
• Revised to emphasize the COVID-19 prevention strategies most important for in-person learning for K-12 schools

Added language on the importance of offering in-person learning, regardless of whether all of the prevention strategies can be implemented at the school.

For example, because of the importance of in-person learning, schools where not everyone is fully vaccinated should implement physical distancing to the extent possible within their structures (in addition to masking and other prevention strategies), but should not exclude students from in-person learning to keep a minimum distance requirement.

• Updated to align with guidance for fully vaccinated people.
• Updated to align with current mask guidance.

In general, people do not need to wear masks when outdoors.

• Added language on safety and health protections for workers in K-12 schools.

NYSDOH just sent an email with Updates Relevant to the 2021 Summer Schools

We are writing to share three updates relevant to 2021 summer schools. 

• Given current low rates of COVID-19 transmission, schools/districts may decide to implement revised masking policies consistent with those available in the archived INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR CHILD CARE, DAY CAMP, AND OVERNIGHT CAMP PROGRAMS DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY (available here).
  
  
• Daily reporting to the COVID-19 Report Card is no longer required.
  
  
• Summer schools in NYS may follow either the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools Through Phased Prevention (available here) or the current NYS INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION AT PRE-K TO GRADE 12 SCHOOLS DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY (available here).  

The above information applies to the 2021 summer session only and additional information will be shared regarding the 2021-2022 school year soon. These decisions, which should reflect local sentiment, may be made by the school superintendent or local board.  There is no requirement for additional public meetings. 

School districts in New York State may continue to issue employment certificates and permits to qualified applicants following the alternative remote process outlined in this memo. School districts may elect to issue employment certificates and permits in-person only or to offer both in-person and remote options. Minors should continue to be provided access to an in-person application process unless schools are again required to close.

Section 3215-a of New York State Education Law requires schools to provide this service for pupils and employers in the community. School superintendents have the authority to designate principals or other school officials to act as certificating officials and nonpublic schools and BOCES may issue such certificates to their own students. Minors may apply for certificates in the school district where they live, where they go to school, or where they are to be employed.

The NYSDOH, Bureau Of Immunization Call to Action: Catch up Children and Teens in Need of Vaccines, including COVID-19 and the CDC Help Kids’ Safe Return to School - Get Caught Up on Recommended Vaccines provides information and action steps regarding catch up on immunization requirements for school entrance and attendance. 

Achieving and maintaining high immunization coverage rates is critical to prevent school and community outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, and pertussis.

As travel increases and more in-person schooling resumes, the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in NYS increases. It is critical that students attending schools, child-caring centers, nursery schools or pre-kindergarten programs in-person or via a hybrid model be up-to-date on all vaccines required for school entrance and attendance in NYS unless they have a medical exemption to required vaccines and that campers and camp staff be up-to-date on all vaccines recommended for their age according to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices schedules. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that international travelers be up-to-date on routine vaccines prior to travel, regardless of school or job requirements.

Healthcare systems and healthcare providers should:

• Identify families whose children have missed doses and contact them to schedule appointments
• Prompt clinicians when these children are seen to deliver vaccines that are due or overdue
• Let families know what precautions are in place for safe delivery of in-person services

Healthcare provider organizations should:

• Encourage members to identify and follow up with families whose children have missed doses to get appointments scheduled
  Schools and state and local governments agencies should:
• Send reminders to families about school immunization requirements
• Follow-up with families of children who are not in compliance with requirements to encourage compliance
• Use the state’s immunization information system’s reminder-recall capacity to notify families whose children have fallen behind on vaccines

We all should:

• Communicate directly to families the importance of well-child visits and getting caught up on any recommended vaccines that were missed

Please see below for a quick one-page reference sheet that may assist in planning and facilitating end of year celebrations and ceremonies at your school:

Pre-K to Grade 12 End of Academic Year Celebration Events, including Graduations

·    The June 7, 2021 update to the Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency does not apply to end of academic year celebration events, such as graduations and moving-up ceremonies, which are large, public events that occur outside the scope of in-person instruction, scholastic, and extracurricular activities. 

·    End of academic year celebration events, such as graduations and moving-up ceremonies, must adhere to the Department of Health’s Updated Interim Guidance for End of Academic Year Celebrations During the COVID-19 State of Emergency, and any superseding modifications from the Department of Health’s  reopening guidance entitled Implementing CDC Guidance. Specifically, these two guidance documents advise that:

o   As of May 19, 2021, the State's social gathering limits are 250 attendees indoors and 500 attendees outdoors. 

o   For events (e.g., graduations) below the State’s social gathering limit of 250 attendees indoors and 500 attendees outdoors:

§  Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks or be socially distanced. 

§  Unvaccinated individuals and individuals who have an unknown vaccination status must continue to wear masks and maintain six feet of social distancing. Masks are required for unvaccinated/unknown vaccination status individuals indoors, except while seated and eating or drinking. Masks are optional outdoors for unvaccinated/unknown vaccination status individuals while they are seated and socially distanced.

§  Full vaccination status can be provided through paper form, digital application, or the State's Excelsior Pass OR since these events are below the social gathering limit, vaccination status can be self-reported (e.g., honor system).

§  Children under the age of 12 who are not yet vaccine eligible, and under the age of 16 who have not yet been vaccinated, may accompany and be seated with a vaccinated adult.

o   For events (e.g., graduations) above the State’s social gathering limit of 250 attendees indoors and 500 attendees outdoors:

§  Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks or be socially distanced. 

§  Since these events are above the social gathering limit, if the event is seeking to implement fully vaccinated sections (i.e., eliminating social distancing and increasing capacity), they must require attendees to present proof of vaccination status and cannot rely upon self-reporting of vaccination status (e.g., honor system). In other words, venues can operate up to 100% capacity so long as all attendees are fully vaccinated.

§  Unvaccinated individuals and individuals who have an unknown vaccination status must continue to be spaced six feet apart. Masks are required for unvaccinated/unknown vaccination status individual indoors, except while seated and eating or drinking. Masks are optional for unvaccinated/unknown vaccination status individuals outdoors while seated and socially distanced.

§  Further, for indoor events above the social gathering limit, unvaccinated/unknown vaccination status attendees over the age of four must instead present proof of recent negative COVID-19 test result. Outdoor events do not require proof of recent negative COVID-19 test result.

§  Children under the age of 12 who are not yet vaccine eligible, and under the age of 16 who have not yet been vaccinated, may accompany and be seated with a vaccinated adult.

·    As announced by Governor Cuomo on June 6, 2021, most of the remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted once 70 percent of New Yorkers aged 18 or older have received the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccination series. When New York reaches that threshold, most of the State's health guidelines—including capacity restrictions, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, health screening, and contact information for tracing—will become optional with two exceptions that apply to end of academic year celebrations: 

o   Masks will still be required for unvaccinated individuals.

o   Large-scale event venues—defined as venues that have an indoor capacity of greater than 1,500 or outdoor capacity of greater than 2,500—will still follow the State's existing health guidance  for large events. 

o   (Please note: even when 70 percent of New Yorkers aged 18 or older have received the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccination series, the Department of Health’s Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, will remain in effect.)

 Thank you,

The Education Constituents Team

Effective June 7, 2021, face masks are not required to be worn outdoors on school grounds, including during outdoor school sports.

However, Responsible Parties may choose to require face masks outdoors on school grounds subject to the parameters of this guidance. No student, teacher, staff member, or visitor may be prevented from wearing an acceptable face mask voluntarily on school grounds.

New NYSED Memo on Health Examination Requirements

• Effective May 11, 2021 students who are unable to obtain a health examination in the required grade have until September 1, 2021, to obtain the required health examination. 
• Schools should communicate the revised time frame to parents/guardians and encourage physicals be completed and returned to school by September 1, 2021.
• Medical directors may choose to postpone completing health examinations until after December 31, 2021 for students who do not provide a health certificate for the 2021-2022 school year.

Read the memo on the NYSED School Health Services page here.

Information for K-12 Schools, Use of SARS CoV-2 POC Antigen Tests for the NY Forward Rapid Test Program, and  Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 Ag Card (BinaxNow)Test is located on page 14- 17.

On 4/27/21 the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) released an Updated Interim Guidance for End of Academic Year Celebrations During the COVID-19 State of Emergency

The changes between the 4/12/21 NYS State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Interim Guidance for End of Academic Year Celebrations During the COVID-19 State of Emergency and the 4/27/21 update are on page 7 as follows:

• Increase to 25% capacity, as of May 19 was added under Large Scale Capacity.
• A note was added under the table which reads:
  For outdoor or indoor events where graduating students are seated on the field of play or performance surface AND attendees (e.g., families, friends) are seated in an entirely separate section (i.e., bleachers, stands, or floor/field space with separate entry/exit than the student entry/exit), the graduating students may be excluded from the above capacity limits so long as there is sufficient space to accommodate the social distancing requirements.

Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools - Review of Updates Webinar 4/13/21

This presentation reviews key changes to the Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools (April 9, 2021). They include changes in requirements for physical distancing, indicators of community transmission, mask requirements, ventilation and filtration, and School plans.

CDC Resources

CDC TRAIN
Provides continuously updated resources and training for Health Professionals on all topics (including vaccines and best immunization practices). 

CDC Vaccine Overview Webpage

• Who Gets Vaccinated First?
• What to Expect at Your COVID-19 Vaccination Visit
• Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
• Rare Severe Allergic Reactions
• Different COVID-19 Vaccines
• Ensuring Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines
• Ensuring COVID-19 Vaccines, Work\Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination
  

U.S. COVID-19 Vaccine Product Information (CDC 3/2/21)

Interim Clinical Considerations (CDC 3/19/21)

• COVID-19 Vaccine Quick Reference Guide for Healthcare Professionals
  Quick reference for comparing general information, storage, and handling information, and vaccine administration
• The Interim Clinical Consideration Summary provides an easy reference of clinical considerations.
• The Vaccine Administration Errors and Deviations table is an easy reference for information on handling vaccine administration errors.

Infection Prevention | Control Considerations for Healthcare Personnel with Systemic Symptoms Following COVID-19 Vaccination 
includes suggested approaches for planning on reducing the impact of post-vaccine symptoms on staffing and evaluating and managing post-vaccination symptoms among HCP.

V-safe After Vaccination Health Checker
Provides information on how to register and complete a v-safe health check-in (including step-by-instructions with images), troubleshooting, FAQs, and contact information for technical support. These web pages will be continuously updated with additional resources.

FDA Resources

FDA COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheets for Recipients and Caregivers
The FDA requires that vaccine recipients or their caregivers be provided with certain vaccine-specific EUA information to make an informed decision about vaccination.

Page Updated 325/21

VaccineFinder is a free, online service where users can search for locations that offer vaccinations. We work with partners such as clinics, pharmacies, and health departments to provide accurate and up-to-date information about vaccination services. VaccineFinder is operated by epidemiologists and software developers at Boston Children's Hospital. 
Eligible New Yorkers can make an appointment at ny.gov/GetVaccinated or by calling the NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).