The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told nursing homes to immediately start using a new definition of what is considered “up to date” when it comes to resident and healthcare personnel and their COVID-19 vaccine status via the National Health Safety Network (NHSN).

The change affects reporting data beginning from the first quarter of 2026.

Individuals are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines during the surveillance period of Dec. 29, 2025, to March 29, 2026, if they meet the following criteria: 

• Individuals aged 65 years and older are up to date when they have:  

  • Received two doses of the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine, or  

  • Received one dose of the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine within the past six months.    

    
    

• Individuals younger than 65 years of age are up to date when they have received one dose of the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine. 

See the announcement at https://tinyurl.com/476v2ysn.

Comments or questions? Contact Patrick Connole at pconnole@parkplacelive.com.