The HIMSS association announced on that HIMSS has adopted a “vaccination required” approach for all attendees, exhibitors and HIMSS staff at HIMSS21. They say this will mean all HIMSS21 attendees, exhibitors and HIMSS staff will have to provide proof of their COVID-19 “full vaccination” in order to gain access to the HIMSS21 campus.
They are following the CDC guidelines that will determine whether a person is considered fully vaccinated:
- Two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine
- This guidance applies to COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (i.e., Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines), and COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization (i.e., AstraZeneca/Oxford), as of May 10, 2021.
If an attendee, exhibitor or HIMSS staff member does not meet these requirements, they are not considered fully vaccinated and will not be permitted to enter the HIMSS21 campus.
To demonstrate proof of full vaccination for right of entry to the HIMSS21 campus, HIMSS is evaluating validation solutions with a focus on accessible, privacy-preserving technologies. HIMSS staff will provide further guidance in the coming weeks on accepted proof and validation solutions. Additionally, HIMSS recommends all attendees, exhibitors and HIMSS staff comply with travel guidelines issued by the CDC when traveling to Las Vegas.
HIMSS is assessing solutions for validating vaccination status. HIMSS will likely utilize one or more digital health applications to confirm that the vaccination status of each attendee, exhibitor and HIMSS staff member complies with the applicable right of entry protocols. HIMSS will continue to look to evolving guidance and best practices to implement the “Vaccination Required” approach.
The anticipated tool(s) will display a HIMSS21 pass status that will be checked (along with a HIMSS21 badge) to permit entry for attendees, exhibitors and HIMSS staff onto the HIMSS21 campus. In the HIMSS21 exhibit hall, All booths will have sanitization resources and will be required to use EPA-approved cleaning solutions. Increased cleaning protocols will be implemented, including for any high-touch areas and/or demonstration products. Additionally, in the exhibit hall, HIMSS will facilitate appropriate space between and within booths and exhibitor sites. There will also be additional efforts to alleviate any potential congestion.
HIMSS is currently assessing evolving public health guidance regarding the use of masks in large gathering settings. We will provide additional guidance on mask wearing on the HIMSS21 campus on or before July 19, 2021.
In education sessions, speakers will use face shields or other protective measures when presenting. HIMSS will make efforts to ensure panels of speakers are spaced as much as practicable.
