New CDC COVID-19 2024-2025 Vaccination and Other Respiratory Illness Resources
(Aug. 26, 2024) With the respiratory virus season just around the corner, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to update resources on respiratory viruses, including a Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel that provides information on current respiratory illness activity, as well as the Nursing Home COVID-19 Data Dashboard and the Nursing Home COVID-19 Vaccination Data Dashboard. They also hosted a webinar on Aug. 23rd on fall vaccination guidelines for older adults and people with disabilities. Experts shared the CDC’s fall 2024-winter 2025 guidance on COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved and authorized 2024-2025 Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC Interim Clinical Considerations for COVID-19 Vaccination recommend use of these vaccines in people ages 6 months and over. The updated vaccines are anticipated to be available in the next few weeks and should be administered as soon as available.
Those who are NOT moderately or severely immunocompromised:
Initial vaccination
- Ages 6 months-4 years
- Two doses of 2024-2025 Moderna or three doses of 2024-2025 Pfizer-BioNTech
- Ages 5 years and older
- One dose of 2024-2025 Moderna or one dose of 2024-2025 Pfizer-BioNTech
Received previous doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
- Ages 6 months-4 years
- One or two doses of 2024-2025 mRNA vaccine from the same manufacturer as administered for initial vaccination, depending on the vaccine and the number of prior doses
- Ages 5 years and older
- One dose of 2024-2025 Moderna or one dose of 2024-2025 Pfizer-BioNTech
An additional dose of 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 65 years and older who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised is NOT currently recommended.
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised:
Initial vaccination
- Ages 6 months and older
- Three doses of 2024-2025 Moderna or three doses of 2024-2025 Pfizer-BioNTech
Received previous doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
- Recommended mRNA vaccine and number of 2024-2025 doses are based on age and vaccination history
Additional doses: People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised ages 6 months and older may receive one or more age-appropriate doses of a 2024-2025 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
When using the COVID-19 vaccination tables, be aware that there are many depending on the multiple factors discussed. Make sure that you are using the correct one according to all clinical considerations.
Access to Free COVID-19 Tests
LeadingAge has received many questions about the COVID-19 test kits that were previously being sent to nursing homes and assisted living facilities and were available to affordable senior housing upon request from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). LeadingAge has confirmed with HHS that the program continues at this time and into 2025.
Nursing homes and assisted living facilities can request to be added to weekly distributions by emailing TDX@hhs.gov and providing their shipping information. Any requests to increase, decrease, pause, or re-initiate shipping should also be sent to TDX@hhs.gov. HHS states that requests are usually processed within a couple of weeks of being received.
For the general public, beginning toward the end of September, all U.S. households will be eligible to order four free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. The COVID-19 tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year.
Contact: Carrie Mosley, cmosley@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 147