New CDC "Up to Date" COVID-19 Vaccination Status Definition

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently changed the definition of “up to date” COVID-19 vaccination status for those over the age of 65. A second COVID-19 shot was recommended on Feb. 28, 2024 for all adults aged 65 and older. This is now required for these individuals to be considered up to date with COVID-19 vaccination.

How and when does this affect nursing home National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) reporting?

As this recommendation comes in the middle of the quarter, nursing homes should continue to use the prior definition of “up to date,” meaning a single shot of the 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine has been received, for determining up to date status until the end of the reporting quarter on March 31, 2024.

Beginning with NHSN reporting for the first week of April, starting on April 1, 2024, all individuals aged 65 and older will be reported as “up to date” only if they have received the second 2023-24 COVID-19 shot.

Learn more about the specifics of “up to date” COVID-19 vaccination status with various vaccines here, and view the new CDC announcement here. 

Contact: Carrie Mosley, cmosley@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 147