CMS Rescinds Vaccination Requirements for Nursing Home Surveyors

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rescinded guidance that state inspectors working under contract with the agency to inspect nursing homes must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The Advancing Excellence in Long-Term Care Collaborative issued a statement criticizing the move, citing staff vaccination requirements, increasing COVID-19 cases, the continuous emergence of new variants, and the CDC’s recommendation for additional booster shots for older adults.