On September 21, CDC shared new vaccine access resources for variety of long-term care settings, including nursing homes, assisted living, residential care communities, group homes, and senior housing.

As the FDA and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices appear poised to recommend booster shots for people 65+ and people at high risk of becoming seriously ill from the coronavirus, aging services providers are preparing for on-site clinics and other strategies to connect older adults and eligible staff to booster shots.

The CDC’s updated website for COVID-19 Vaccine Access in Long-term Care Settings provides information for long-term care administrators and managers, as well as information on how jurisdictions can ensure COVID-19 vaccine access for staff and residents in long-term care settings. CDC’s new resources include strategies for on-site vaccination clinics and vaccinations in the broader community. For on-site clinics, providers are urged to contact their long-term care pharmacy, local retail pharmacy, or other vaccine provider to arrange for an on-site vaccination clinic.

Providers may also request vaccination support from a pharmacy partner enrolled in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program and may find the CDC’s piece on Connecting Long-Term Care Settings with Federal Pharmacy Partners very useful.

Providers having difficulty arranging COVID-19 vaccination for residents and staff should contact their state or local health department’s immunization program for assistance. Finally, if the state or jurisdictional immunization program is unable to connect your LTC setting with a vaccine provider, CDC is available as a safety net support and can be contacted through CDC INFO at 800-232-4636 for additional support.

Aging services providers will also find the CDC’s booster shot page, which will be updated as the FDA and ACIP authorize booster doses, helpful.