WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) today launched its 2026-2027 #GetVaccinated campaign, offering resources to help long term and post-acute care providers prepare for respiratory virus season and encourage residents and staff to stay current with their influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations. As part of this year’s campaign, AHCA/NCAL is introducing an Innovation Challenge, a #GetVaccinated competition that invites member providers to develop creative vaccination campaigns during the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season. The #GetVaccinated Innovation Challenge will ask participants to share their strategies and materials used to educate and engage residents, families, staff, and their communities, as well as the outcomes of their efforts. Submissions will be accepted through February 1, 2027, then a panel of judges made up of clinical and quality experts will select the most innovative campaign. The winning organization will receive a $10,000 grand prize and also be invited to present its campaign at the 2027 AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit, giving providers across the country an opportunity to learn from their approach.
“Long term care providers are doing ground-breaking work every day to protect the health and well-being of the residents entrusted to their care, and that deserves to be recognized,” said Clif Porter, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “Through #GetVaccinated, we’re giving providers practical tools to support their vaccination efforts while also creating an opportunity to celebrate the innovative ways our members are supporting vaccination uptake.”
Each fall and winter, respiratory viruses bring increased risk to those living in long term care communities, making strong infection prevention practices and vaccination among residents and staff especially important. AHCA/NCAL’s campaign website, GetVaccinated.us, serves as a one-stop shop for tools and information to help providers promote vaccination and prepare for cold and flu season. Resources include best practices and guidance, information on required documentation and regulations, billing guidance, vaccine educational materials, and a communications toolkit.
“Vaccines remain one of our most effective tools for reducing severe illness, hospitalization, and complications from respiratory infections,” said Dr. Elizabeth Burns, AHCA/NCAL’s chief medical officer. “However, vaccine hesitancy continues to be a significant challenge across the country, and long term care is not immune to it. There is no single solution, but our providers are uniquely positioned to learn from one another in finding practical and creative ways to build trust and boost vaccine uptake. I encourage all our members to take note of their vaccination efforts this season and share their experience through the Innovation Challenge competition.”
Visit GetVaccinated.us to access the latest resources and learn more about the #GetVaccinated Innovation Challenge, including eligibility, submission requirements, judging criteria, and deadlines.
The #GetVaccinated campaign is made possible through support from Moderna.