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COVID-19 vaccine clinic toolkit for long-term care facilities

Last updated December 3, 2025

A health care worker in teal scrubs smiles at a patient with short grey hair and glasses.

Table of contents

Background   

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to lower the chances of getting very sick, being hospitalized, developing Long COVID, and dying. COVID-19 vaccination is especially important for people 65 years and older; people with medical conditions, including weaker immune systems; and people who live in long-term care facilities.

In Colorado, Public Health Order 25-01: Access to COVID-19 Vaccines and the accompanying standing order for administering 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine ensure COVID-19 vaccines remain accessible by allowing other appropriately trained health care workers, such as nurses and pharmacists, to administer vaccines according to a protocol. This allows Coloradans to receive the vaccine at participating provider locations and pharmacies without having to first obtain an individual prescription. Costs may still apply depending on the person’s insurance coverage.

The CDPHE recommendations for 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccination outlined in the standing order are broader than those adopted by CDC and are based on updated, evidence-based guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. These recommendations are also informed by a new comprehensive evidence review by the Vaccine Integrity Project at the University of Minnesota that endorses the ongoing safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

CDPHE vaccine recommendations 

CDPHE COVID-19 vaccine recommendations

Age groupRecommendation
6-23 months

Two-dose initial series with the age-appropriate 2025–2026 Moderna (Spikevax) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for those who are unvaccinated

Single dose of the age-appropriate 2025–2026 Moderna (Spikevax) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for those who have completed an initial series

2-4 years

Single dose of age-appropriate 2025-2026 Moderna (Spikevax) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for those who are in one or more of the following categories:

  • At high risk of severe COVID-19,
  • Residents of long-term care facilities or other congregate settings,
  • Have never been vaccinated against COVID-19, or
  • Have household contacts who are at high risk for severe COVID-19

Single dose of age-appropriate 2025-2026 Moderna (Spikevax) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for children 2-4 years not included in a high-risk group whose parent/guardian desires their protection from COVID-19

5-64 years

Single dose of an age-appropriate 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine for those who are in one or more of the following categories:

  • At high risk of severe COVID-19, including being pregnant, as pregnancy is a high-risk condition for severe COVID-19,
  • Residents of long-term care facilities or other congregate settings,
  • Have never been vaccinated against COVID-19, or
  • Have household contacts who are at high risk for severe COVID-19

Single dose of age-appropriate 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine for people 5-64 years old not included in a high-risk group if they desire or their parent/guardian desires protection from COVID-19

65 years and olderTwo doses of any age-appropriate 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine, spaced 6 months apart, regardless of prior COVID-19 vaccination history

*Consult the standing order for COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for infants and children aged 6-23 months with history of an incomplete initial vaccination series and people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

There is no preferential recommendation for the use of any one COVID-19 vaccine over another when more than one recommended and age-appropriate vaccine is available.

Vaccination after COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 virus) infection 

COVID-19 vaccination is available for everyone aged 6 months and older, regardless of prior symptomatic or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, including people with Long COVID. 

People with known current SARS-CoV-2 infection should defer any COVID-19 vaccination at least until recovery from the acute illness (if symptoms were present). People who recently had SARS-CoV-2 infection may consider delaying a  COVID-19 vaccine dose by three months from when their symptoms started or, if they had no symptoms, when they first tested positive. Reinfection is less likely in the weeks to months after infection. However, individual factors, such as risk of COVID-19 severe disease and current indicators of community transmission, should be taken into account when determining whether to delay getting a COVID-19 vaccination after infection.

Vaccine promotional materials

Infection prevention recommendations for vaccination clinics

Refer to the on-site vaccine clinics at residential care facilities guidance for vaccination clinics conducted in residential care facilities. It is important to follow infection prevention recommendations to prevent transmission of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, within the facility. Free education is available on infection prevention and control best practices through Project Firstline.  

Colorado Immunization Information System

Immunization records are confidential, personal medical information. The Colorado Immunization Information System is a lifelong immunization record tracking system under the Colorado Immunization Registry Act of 2007. Per C.R.S. 25-4-2403 (2.5)(a), immunizing providers are required to report immunization and exemption data to CIIS. CIIS has signed agreements with all participating sites that are authorized to provide information to or access information from CIIS. CIIS and all people and entities that access immunization records are required to maintain the confidentiality of those records.

The CDPHE Colorado Immunization Information System webpages provide information about requesting a copy of your immunization records.

CDPHE encourages facilities to obtain CIIS access to view resident immunization records and to enter vaccine information for vaccinations administered by the facility. The facility must complete the user registration process to obtain access to CIIS. Once access is approved, the CIIS Main Application quick guide includes important information for accessing and using CIIS. For more information, visit our CIIS training webpage or email the CIIS team at cdphe.ciis@state.co.us.

Additional resources