“Up-to-date” COVID-19 vaccine reporting has a new definition as of April 1, the start of the second quarter of 2024. The National Healthcare Safety Network now says that patients who are 65 or older are considered up-to-date when they have received 2 doses of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, or 1 dose of the updated vaccine in the past 4 months. 

Tips for data reporting:

• Residents and health care personnel aged 65 and older are only considered up-to-date after receiving a second dose of the 2023-2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine or 1 dose in the past 4 months. 
• To avoid overreporting, don’t count as up to date those aged 65 and older who have received only 1 dose of the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine more than 4 months ago.
• DO count health care personnel under age 65 as up-to-date if they have had 1 dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine.

The new definition reflects the latest guidance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The update is designed to ensure the most effective vaccine protection for individuals, especially those aged 65 and older. The updated definition applies to both the NHSN Weekly HCP and Resident Vaccination Forms.