The California Department of Health has issued a new All Facilities Letter (AFL) with recommendations for preventing and managing influenza outbreaks in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) during the 2021-2022 season amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. SNF residents are at increased risk for severe disease, hospitalization, and death from infections caused by influenza viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19. The AFL advises SNFs to optimize all available effective influenza prevention and outbreak control interventions, including influenza vaccination of residents and healthcare personnel, and prompt initiation of antiviral therapy and chemoprophylaxis when influenza is identified. The document also provides recommendations for planning for influenza illness and outbreaks relevant to residents, healthcare personnel, and family members/visitors. SNFs should be ready with sufficient influenza vaccines, hand hygiene supplies, personal protective equipment, and antiviral medication orders before the flu season begins. They should also establish lines of communication with their local health department and ensure influenza vaccination of residents and staff members. Weekly surveillance reports of influenza and other respiratory viruses in California will be published on the CDPH Influenza (Flu) and Other Respiratory Diseases webpage. SNFs should report influenza outbreaks immediately to their local health department and Licensing & Certification district office.

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