Pasadena Interim Health Officer Issues Updated Orders Specifying COVID-19 Booster Vaccine and Masking for Healthcare Workers

Pasadena’s Interim Health Officer Dr. Eric G. Handler on Wednesday issued updated health officer orders related to COVID-19 vaccination requirements for healthcare workers and masking requirements in healthcare facilities. The updated orders will take effect on Monday, April 3 at 12:01 a.m.

The new requirements cover vaccination and masking.

All healthcare workers must be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations by completing a COVID-19 primary series and receiving the most recent booster dose within 15 days of becoming eligible as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Under the new orders, health care facility personnel are required to wear a well-fitted mask when providing patient care or working in patient care areas within all indoor healthcare settings such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, clinics, and hospice facilities.

The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) strongly recommends patients, clients, and visitors to health care settings wear a mask. Patients, clients, and visitors are required to wear a mask when the health care facility is in outbreak status or there is evidence of high community transmission levels, as defined by the CDC, within Los Angeles County. 

The PPHD recommends wearing a well-fitting, non-vented N95, KN95, or KF94 respirator.

PPHD is requiring more protective measures in healthcare settings. While the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains a concern for all Pasadena residents, the virus poses a particular risk to the health of medically vulnerable residents and people who might be exposed through necessity based on their circumstances. Pasadena has a higher per capita population residing in long-term care facilities compared to the rest of Los Angeles County. 

Vaccination and masking requirements are protective measures which have effectively reduced infection rates and protected vulnerable populations from COVID-19 related complications.   

PPHD encourages all Pasadena residents to stay up to date on vaccines and boosters, test before gatherings, seek available COVID-19 treatments, and stay home when sick. The updated bivalent booster has been shown to significantly reduce hospitalizations and deaths when compared to individuals who had been vaccinated but had not received the updated booster. Find a walk-in clinic or make an appointment at myturn.CA.gov.