CMS has officially retired the requirements for healthcare staff vaccination against COVID-19 and has told surveyors to no longer review its compliance during survey.

In an update to the memo QSO-23-02-ALL, first released in October 2022 and outlining guidance on enforcing the vaccination requirements, CMS notes that a final rule ending the requirements has superseded that guidance.

The final rule is effective on August 5, but CMS has not been enforcing the requirements since June 5.

The most recent update says that the memo is officially expired, and “surveyors will no longer assess compliance with these requirements for any providers.”