For your radar: The approval of the newest COVID-19 vaccines will trigger a change in the National Health and Safety Network’s (NHSN) surveillance definition of “up-to-date” to align with the new vaccine recommendations.

• This will cause a significant dip in the percentage of long term care residents and staff who are reported as up to date for COVID vaccine beginning the week of September 25-October 1, 2023. This is expected by the NHSN team and public health officials.

As of September 25, 2023, individuals are considered “up to date” with their COVID-19 vaccines in NHSN if they meet one of the following criteria: 

• Received a 2023-2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine or
• Received a bivalent* COVID-19 vaccine within the last two months

*Note that the bivalent vaccines are no longer authorized as of 9/12/2023. 

For more information: Register for the webinar replay of the CMS Training on Up-to-Date Vaccination Status: Surveillance Definition Change for Long Term Care Facilities on October 2, 2023 at 1:00 pm.