A vial of coronavirus vaccine with Christmas decoration resembling the virus.

(Credit: Thanasis / Getty Images)

Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York have become the latest states to implement COVID-19 booster shot requirements for employees of assisted living communities and other long-term care facilities.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) signed two executive orders on Thursday mandating booster shots for workers at assisted living services agencies, residential care homes, nursing homes and other long-term care settings, as well as state hospital employees, by Feb. 11. Facilities that don’t comply could see civil penalties of up to $20,000 per day.

An emergency order issued last week by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) requires assisted living and nursing home workers to receive their COVID-19 booster shots by Feb. 28, the Boston Globe reported Friday.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) also last week announced plans to require that all covered healthcare workers previously mandated to receive a COVID-19 vaccination under an Aug. 26 emergency regulation also now receive a COVID-19 booster dose within two weeks of becoming eligible, absent a valid medical exemption. Workers at adult care facilities, including assisted living providers, are among those covered by the emergency regulation.

The three New England states join California and New Mexico in mandating booster shots.

New Mexico issued a booster requirement in early December for workers in higher-risk environments, including workers in all congregate care and other healthcare settings. All covered workers must be boosted by Jan. 17 or within four weeks of becoming eligible.

In late December, California mandated that all workers in healthcare and high-risk congregate settings receive booster shots by Feb. 1.