You are receiving this letter because the new Public Health Order issued on December 22, 2021 requires certain In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and Waiver
Personal Care Services (WPCS) providers to be fully vaccinated and boosted with the COVID-19 vaccine as described in the chart below.
| Type of Vaccine | When to Get Booster Dose |
|---|---|
| Moderna or Pfizer | 6 months after 2nd dose |
| Johnson & Johnson or Janssen | 2 months after 1st dose |
The Public Health Order states those eligible for the vaccine booster must obtain the shot by March 1, 2022. IHSS providers not yet eligible for boosters must get their shot no later than 15 days after the recommended timeframe above for receiving the booster dose. If you live with your recipient(s) and/or provide services to a family member(s), and provide services to no one else, you are not impacted by this Public Health Order.
You must get vaccinated if you are a non-live-in provider who provides services to a recipient who is not your family member. By receiving this letter, you have been identified by the
California Department of Social Services as a provider who is required to be vaccinated.
You may be exempted from the vaccine requirement if you have a Qualified Medical Reason or for your Religious Beliefs. To be exempted, you must provide your recipient the attached COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Form, requesting an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine requirement, and provide the reason. To be eligible for the Qualified Medical Reason Exemption, you must include a written statement with the form, signed by your doctor, nurse practitioner, or other licensed medical professional stating that you qualify for the exemption. The statement should not describe any underlying medical condition or disability but must indicate how long the exemption from the vaccine is expected to last.
If your recipient finds that you meet the requirements of an exemption, instead of getting the vaccine, you must obtain a weekly COVID-19 test, until vaccinated, and, wear a surgical mask or higher-level respirator, at all times, while providing services in a recipient’s home. Providers may use IHSS Sick Leave for vaccination appointments.
You are required to maintain your own records of vaccination, or COVID-19 test results if applicable, and must provide them if asked by your recipient. Additionally, if you test positive for COVID-19 you should not be providing IHSS/WPCS services for any recipient. You should contact your IHSS recipient(s) immediately and let them know you are unavailable.