COVID-19 Vaccines for Long-term Care Residents

If you live or work in a Long-term Care (LTC) setting, you can help protect yourself and the people around you by getting  your updated COVID-19 vaccine.

• COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective—especially against becoming seriously ill, being hospitalized and dying.
• Older adults and people with certain health conditions are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
• COVID-19 vaccines can help keep you from getting seriously ill if you do get COVID-19.

If your loved one is not able to ask questions or otherwise communicate with the LTC staff, here’s what to know about consent for getting a COVID-19 vaccine:

• Consent or assent for a COVID-19 vaccine is given by LTC residents (or people appointed to make medical decisions on their behalf called a medical proxy) and documented in their charts per the provider’s standard practice.
• Residents who receive a COVID-19 vaccine (or their medical proxy) also receive a fact sheet before vaccination. The fact sheet explains the risks and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination.
• Some COVID-19 vaccination providers may require written, email, or verbal consent from recipients before getting vaccinated. This is at the provider’s discretion; written consent is not required by federal law for COVID-19 vaccination in the United States (U.S.)

How to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine

To make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for you or your family member:

• Talk with the LTC staff about getting vaccinated on site.
• Ask a family member or friend to help you schedule a vaccination appointment if you can’t get vaccinated on site. Visit vaccines.gov to find providers near you.
• If you have additional questions about how to get a COVID-19 vaccine, talk with your healthcare provider.