CDC Updates COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance,Emphasizing Individual Risk Assessment
Washington,D.C. -โค The Centers forโ Disease Control and โPrevention (CDC) โhas recently updated its immunization schedulesโข for โboth adultsโ and children regarding the โฃCOVID-19 โvaccine,aligning withโค recommendations from theโข Advisoryโค Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The revised guidanceโ shifts toward โa more individualized โคapproachโ to vaccination decisions.
The new recommendations emphasizeโ thatโ for adults aged 65 and older, COVID-19 vaccination should be steadfast through shared clinical decision-making between the patient and their healthcare provider. forโ individuals between 6 months and 64 years old, vaccination is also based on individual risk-benefit assessment, with the CDC highlighting that the benefits areโ greatest forโ those at increased riskโข of severe COVID-19, as defined by โขthe โขagency’s listโ ofโค risk factors.
The โฃCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to require nursing homes to offer COVID-19 vaccination to all residentsโ and staff, unlessโ medicallyโ contraindicated or already completed. Prior to offering the vaccine,facilitiesโฃ must provide education on its โbenefits,risks,and potential side effects,utilizing resources like the CDC’sโ Vaccine Details Statement (VIS),whichโฃ is expected toโ be updated to reflect โฃthe new recommendations.
Long โterm care providers areโข encouraged to begin ordering โvaccine โsupplies and planning vaccination clinics.The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) is updating its #GetVaccinated webpage with resources for providers and will continue toโค disseminate updates โฃfrom the CDC and CMS as they become available during โthe respiratory virus โฃseason.