The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has revised the
definition for what is considered up to date for the COVID-19 vaccine for both residents and healthcare personnel (HCP) via the National Health Safety Network (NHSN). This change impacts reporting data beginning Q1 2026 (December 29, 2025, through March 29, 2026).
Individuals are considered Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines during the surveillance period of December 29, 2025 – March 29, 2026, for the purpose of NHSN surveillance, if they meet the following criteria:
- Individuals aged 65 years and older are Up to Date when they have:
- Received 2 doses of the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine, or
- Received 1 dose of the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine within the past 6 months.
- Individuals younger than 65 years of age are Up to Date when they have received 1 dose of the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine.
Nursing homes should immediately begin to use the above definition for reporting COVID-19 vaccination status for both residents and HCP in NHSN. If they have already submitted data for previous weeks (starting December 30, 2025), facilities may go back in NHSN and edit data for the quarter.