COVID-19 Regulatory News Update

This week saw a flurry of national regulatory activity with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic.

OSHA Suspends the Vaccine Mandate

 Following a November 12^th court order, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)suspended the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on Vaccination and Testing that became effective on November 4^th. For now, all activities related to the implementation and enforcement of the ETS are on hold pending future developments in the litigation.

If OSHA’s updated ETS takes effect, it would establish minimum vaccination, vaccination verification, face covering, and testing requirements to address the hazards of COVID-19 in the workplace. Most dental offices would not be covered under the ETS because it would apply to employers with 100 or more employees.

FDA Approves Booster for all Adults

 On November 19^th, the US Food and Drug Administration released a press release announcing that it has “amended the emergency use authorizations (EUA) for both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines authorizing use of a single booster dose for all individuals 18 years of age and older after completion of primary vaccination with any FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.” Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.

Since 1992, OSHA Review, Inc. has provided dental professionals with comprehensive programs to support regulatory compliance and infection control. We are a registered continuing education provider in the state of California, specializing in Dental Practice Act, infection control, and OSHA training.