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November 7, 2025
Governor Glenn Youngkin Submits Virginia’s Application for $1 Billion in Federal Funding to Transform Rural Health Care
Virginia’s “VA Rural Vitality” plan will expand access, strengthen the workforce, and modernize care delivery across rural communities.
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that Virginia has submitted its application for $1 billion in federal Rural Health Transformation funding under H.R. 1, which was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. The Commonwealth’s proposal — VA Rural Vitality — presents a bold, locally-driven plan to modernize health care delivery, expand the workforce, and improve outcomes across rural Virginia. more>>
October 10, 2025
Virginia Department of Health Addresses Updates to the CDC Immunization Schedule
(RICHMOND, Va.) — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is implementing the newest updates to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) immunization schedule. Updates were made to the COVID-19 and the combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine recommendations. more>>
September 16, 2025
Meet “Chip”: Virginia’s New Alligator Mascot on a Mission to Tackle Hidden Lead Hazards
The Virginia Department of Health’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program introduces a friendly reptilian messenger to help families spot and prevent dangerous lead exposure in their homes.
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has unveiled a creative new public education campaign featuring an unexpected messenger: an alligator mascot named Chip. Aimed at helping families recognize and reduce lead hazards in their homes, Chip brings a friendly, memorable face to an important safety message. more>>
September 15, 2025
Governor Glenn Youngkin Celebrates Service Improvements by Virginia Office of Vital Records
Once under federal review, the Office of Vital Records now ranks among the top five nationally, delivering faster, more secure service for Virginians
RICHMOND, Va. – Governor Glenn Youngkin today joined Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Secretary Janet Kelly, State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, M.D., Virginia Department of Health (VDH) State Registrar and Director of the Office of Vital Records Seth Austin, and other leaders for a tour to celebrate the success of the newly-relocated VDH Office of Vital Records’ (OVR) in modernizing its services and delivering faster, more efficient, and more compassionate customer care for Virginians. more>>
September 11, 2025
Virginia Department of Health Issues Statewide Standing Order for Pharmacies Regarding 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccine
RICHMOND, Va. — On September 10, Virginia State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, MD, signed a new statewide standing order for pharmacies in Virginia to facilitate accessibility for pharmacists to administer the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine. more>>
September 3, 2025
Virginia Health Officials Confirm Measles Case in Eastern Region
Virginia Department of Health is Working to Identify People Who Are at Risk
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reporting the state’s fourth measles case of the year. The patient is a school age child (5-12 years) in the Eastern Region who recently traveled internationally. To protect the family’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient. Health officials are coordinating efforts to identify anyone who might have been exposed. more>>
August 19, 2025
Virginia Health Officials Investigating Potential Measles Exposure in Northern Virginia
Virginia Department of Health is Working to Identify People Who Are at Risk
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was notified of a confirmed case of measles that traveled through Washington Dulles International Airport Tuesday, August 12. The confirmed case is a resident of another state. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights. more>>
August 13, 2025
August 11, 2025
July 25, 2025
Virginia Department of Health Offers Safety Tips to Beat the Heat
Extreme Temperatures Return to Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. – As Virginia gets blasted with another heat wave over the next few days, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) reminds everyone to take steps to avoid heat-related illness. more>>
July 17, 2025
Virginia Department of Health Encourages Families to Take the Pool Safely Pledge
Commonwealth Continues to See an Increase in Small Children Drownings in Pools
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is urging parents and caregivers to take the Pool Safely Pledge (en Español) as the Commonwealth continues to see a concerning rise in accidental drownings among children under the age of five in swimming pools. more>>
June 26, 2025
Virginia Sees Increase in Drownings in Children Under 5 in Swimming Pools
Health Officials Urge Parents and Caregivers to Take Precautions
RICHMOND, Va. – With great sorrow, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed that six children under the age of five have tragically lost their lives to swimming pool drownings in Virginia since Memorial Day. Swimming season has just started, and these six drowning fatalities exceed Virginia’s total for the number of fatalities for young children for each of the last three years. The Virginia Department of Health urges parents and caregivers to take precautions with children in or near swimming pools or other bodies of water. more>>
June 25, 2025
Virginia Health Officials Investigating Another Potential Measles Exposure in Northern Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was notified of a confirmed case of measles at Washington Dulles International Airport on Thursday, June 19. The confirmed case is an international traveler visiting North Carolina. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights. more>>
June 14, 2025
Virginia Health Officials Investigating Potential Measles Exposure in Northern Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was notified of a confirmed case of measles at Washington Dulles International Airport and the Washington Area Metro on Sunday, June 8. The confirmed case is an international traveler visiting the Washington, D.C. area. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights. more>>
June 5, 2025
Virginia Health Officials Confirm Third 2025 Measles Case in the State
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reporting the state’s third measles case of the year. The patient is a child (0-4 years) in the Northwest Region who developed symptoms after exposure to another Virginia measles case. To protect the family’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient. Public health officials are coordinating efforts to identify anyone who might have been exposed. more>>
May 23, 2025
Virginia Health Officials Confirm Second 2025 Measles Case in the State
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reporting the state’s second measles case of the year. The patient is a teenager (13-17 years) in the Northwest Region who recently traveled internationally. To protect the family’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient. Health officials are coordinating efforts to identify anyone who might have been exposed. more>>
May 23, 2025
Governor Glenn Youngkin Celebrates EMS Week with Special Event Recognizing the Governor’s EMS Award Recipients
RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin has proclaimed May 18–24, 2025, as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week in Virginia. To mark the occasion, he hosted a special event at the Virginia Executive Mansion to honor recipients of the 2024 Governor’s EMS Awards. Coordinated by the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH’s) Office of Emergency Medical Services, these awards represent the highest level of recognition in Virginia’s EMS system and celebrate providers, agencies, and community partners who demonstrate excellence in emergency medical care. more>>
May 2, 2025
Virginia Department of Health and Office of Vital Records Release Top Baby Names for 2024, Other Interesting Virginia Birth Data
RICHMOND, Va. – Choosing the perfect baby’s name is one of the first big decisions for new parents. However, certain names stole the spotlight in 2024 in the state of Virginia. Whether inspired by timeless classics, modern trends, or cultural favorites, these names are winning over families across the state. But the best name of all the 94,443 babies born in 2024 is the one you chose for your own bundle of joy. more>>
April 30, 2025
The Virginia Office of Vital Records Reminds Virginians of May 7 REAL ID Federal Enforcement Deadline
RICHMOND, Va. – With the federal government preparing to enforce REAL ID, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Office of Vital Records encourages Virginians to review their birth certificate or request a certified copy before applying for a REAL ID. Though optional, a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or ID card, or another federally approved form of ID, will be required to board a domestic flight, enter a secure facility or military base beginning May 7, 2025. more>>
April 19, 2025
UPDATED: Virginia Health Officials Confirm First 2025 Measles Case in the State
Virginia Department of Health is Working to Identify People Who Are at Risk
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reporting the state’s first measles case of the year. The patient is a child (0-4 years) in the Northwest Region who recently traveled internationally. To protect the family’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient. Health officials are coordinating efforts to identify anyone who might have been exposed. more>>
April 17, 2025
Governor Youngkin Announces New Virginia Department of Health Maternal and Child Health Data Dashboards
RICHMOND, Va. – Today, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the launch of an upgraded Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Dashboard and two new dashboards to monitor and provide actionable data on maternal mortality and pregnancy-associated deaths. The data are designed to be used as a resource to establish best practices to assist mothers during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. This is a part of the Administration’s ongoing effort to support Virginia moms and improve maternal health outcomes. more>>
April 16, 2025
Governor Glenn Youngkin Releases Virginia Department of Health Report on Richmond’s 2025 Water Crisis
RICHMOND, Va. – Governor Glenn Youngkin released Wednesday the final report from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) on the January 2025 water crisis in the City of Richmond and announced a second notice of violation against the city that requires the implementation of a Corrective Action Plan. more>>
March 20, 2025
Virginia Health Officials Investigating Additional Potential Measles Exposures in Northern Virginia
Virginia Department of Health is Working to Identify People Who Are at Risk
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was notified of two additional confirmed cases of measles that traveled through Northern Virginia Wednesday, March 5 and Friday, March 14. Both people are Maryland residents who recently traveled together internationally. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights. more>>
March 11, 2025
Office of Vital Records Streamlines Newborn Birth Certificate Request Process
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Office of Vital Records (OVR) has streamlined its newborn birth certificate request process. The family can now complete the entire process online. more>>
March 9, 2025
Virginia Health Officials Investigating Potential Measles Exposure in Northern Virginia
Virginia Department of Health is Working to Identify People Who Are at Risk
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was notified of a confirmed case of measles at Washington Dulles International Airport on Wednesday, March 5. The confirmed case was an individual who was returning from international travel. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights. more>>
January 27, 2025
Virginia Department of Health Reports the First Two Pediatric Flu Deaths
RICHMOND, Va. – Regrettably, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reporting two influenza-associated pediatric deaths which are the first reports for the 2024–25 influenza (flu) season in Virginia. One death occurred in a young school-aged child (5–12 years old) in Virginia’s Eastern Region and one in a teenage child (13–17 years old) in the Central Region of Virginia. To protect the family’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information. more>>