Category: Vaccinations

Newly Approved COVID-19 Vaccines: What Long Term Care Providers Need to Know

In recent weeks, the country has experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases, marking the largest wave since January. This trend has been mirrored in long term care facilities, with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing a consistent increase in new COVID-19 cases between May and August 2024. Experts indicate that this rise in CO​VID-19 cases is due to the emergence of new variants and waning protection from prior vaccines after six months.

The latest variant, known as FLirT, includes the KP.3, KP.3.1.1, and KP.2 strains. Data from the CDC indicates that the KP.3.1.1 variant accounts for nearly 37% of cases, KP.3 follows with 17%, and KP.2.3 represents 14.4% of cases.Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines. These vaccines have been designed to target the KP.2 strain,​ providing protection against the currently circulating variants. While the vaccine may not have a significant impact on the current summer wave, it will be crucial as we head into the fall and winter months. It’s important to note that although the vaccine may not prevent infection entirely, it significantly reduces the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19, particularly among older adults and those with chronic conditions.

Long term care residents are especially vulnerable to respiratory viruses due to their age and underlying health conditions. Prioritizing LTC residents for fall respiratory vaccines—including flu, RSV, and COVID-19—will help protect them from severe illness or hospitalization due to these viruses.

The new COVID-19 vaccine is currently available for distribution through retail pharmacies, long term care pharmacies, and other suppliers. LTC providers should contact their LTC pharmacies to order the vaccine and schedule clinics.

For more information, providers can refer to our recent blog post focused on preparing for respiratory virus season.

Visit GetVaccinated.us for resources to help prepare for the upcoming respiratory virus season.

Stay Informed. Stay Protected. New Resources for Long Term Care Providers

With winter and holiday gatherings right around the corner, it’s important to be well-prepared against respiratory viruses.

For the first time, vaccines are available to help protect against severe illness caused by all three of the major fall and winter respiratory viruses—flu, COVID-19, and RSV. People may choose to get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same visit if they are eligible, making it easier to stay up to date with CDC-recommended vaccines, while others may prefer to get their recommended vaccines at separate visits.

For those people, there is no need to wait a specific amount of time after receiving one vaccine to get the next one. Getting all three vaccines at the same visit can help protect people who are at higher risk of getting seriously sick from flu, COVID-19, or RSV or who may not be able to return to their provider.

Scientific studies during the last three years indicate that it is safe to get both a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit. Additionally, coadministration of flu vaccines and the new RSV vaccines was found to be safe in clinical tri​als. While there are no clinical trial data on getting all three vaccines at the same time, CDC is continuing to monitor the safety of RSV vaccines, as it does for all vaccines. Getting multiple vaccines at the same visit may increase the risk of some side effects from vaccination. When side effects do occur, they are typically mild to moderate, like arm pain, swelling, headache, and fatigue. These side effects are usually short-lived.

Whether individuals choose to get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same visit or at separate visits, the most important thing is that they get all vaccines recommended to protect themselves against these and other potentially serious illnesses this fall and winter.

Additional Resources Available on #GetVaccinated Website.

  • Explore “Vaccine Information for Residents and Staff,” a hot topic brief for providers that emphasizes the crucial role of providing residents, their families and staff Vaccine Information Sheets (VIS).
  • Discover new insights in “Pneumonia Vaccine Timing for Adults” to help ensure adults stay up to date with pneumococcal vaccinations.

​Access the latest #GetVaccinated resources.

Encourage Action During National Influenza Vaccination Week

National Influenza Vaccination Week, which runs from December 4-8, is the perfect time to get a flu shot. This week highlights the importance of flu vaccines which are crucial in reducing the risk of illness, hospitalization, and even death.

The impact of influenza is substantial, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating 9 million illnesses, 4 million medical visits, 10,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths during the 2021-2022 season.