An official website of the United States government
COVID-19 Vaccines for Long-term Care Residents
On June 27, 2024, the CDC Director adopted the ACIP’s recommendations for use of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccines in people ages 6 months and older as approved or authorized by FDA. The 2024–2025 vaccines are expected to be available in fall 2024. This page will be updated at that time to align with the new recommendations. Learn more: www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s-t0627-vaccine-recommendations.html
What You Need to Know
- CDC recommends everyone aged 5 years and older, including people who live and work in Long-term Care (LTC) settings, get 1 updated COVID-19 vaccine. Children aged 6 months – 4 years may need more than 1 updated COVID-19 vaccine dose to be up to date.
- People aged 65 years and older who received 1 dose of any updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Novavax) should receive 1 additional dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the previous updated dose. For more Novavax information, click or tap here.
- People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised can get additional updated COVID-19 vaccine doses. Learn more about additional doses.
- People who live in LTC settings must give consent, or agree to getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
If you live or work in a Long-term Care (LTC) setting, you can help protect yourself and the people around you by getting your updated COVID-19 vaccine.
- COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective—especially against becoming seriously ill, being hospitalized and dying.
- Older adults and people with certain health conditions are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
- COVID-19 vaccines can help keep you from getting seriously ill if you do get COVID-19.
If your loved one is not able to ask questions or otherwise communicate with the LTC staff, here’s what to know about consent for getting a COVID-19 vaccine:
- Consent or assent for a COVID-19 vaccine is given by LTC residents (or people appointed to make medical decisions on their behalf called a medical proxy) and documented in their charts per the provider’s standard practice.
- Residents who receive a COVID-19 vaccine (or their medical proxy) also receive a fact sheet before vaccination. The fact sheet explains the risks and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination.
- Some COVID-19 vaccination providers may require written, email, or verbal consent from recipients before getting vaccinated. This is at the provider’s discretion; written consent is not required by federal law for COVID-19 vaccination in the United States (U.S.)
How to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine
To make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for you or your family member:
- Talk with the LTC staff about getting vaccinated on site.
- Ask a family member or friend to help you schedule a vaccination appointment if you can’t get vaccinated on site. Visit vaccines.gov to find providers near you.
- If you have additional questions about how to get a COVID-19 vaccine, talk with your healthcare provider.
To find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you: Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233.