What 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.
- People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised can get additional updated COVID-19 vaccine doses.
- People who live in LTC settings must give consent or agree to getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
![Health care professional comforting long-term care resident.](/covid/media/images/2024/07/gettyimages-1451119452-612x612-1.jpg)
Why the vaccine is important
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.
Find a COVID-19 Vaccine Location
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases