Virginia Infection Prevention & Control Training Alliance (VIPTA)

VIPTA is a statewide infection prevention and control education collaborative, led by the Virginia Healthcare-Associated Infections Advisory Group.  Through partnership, VIPTA curates IPC resources for Virginia’s healthcare, congregate care, and public health settings.

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VDH-Little-things-Social_Immunized-Image of a monster

❄️’Tis the Season…for Flu Prevention

Viral respiratory season is here, settling in right alongside the colder weather. National Influenza Vaccination Week (December 1–5) reminds us that there’s still time to get vaccinated and stay ahead of the flu. Especially with the holidays approaching fast, an annual flu vaccine for everyone six months and older is still the best way to keep flu from putting a damper on your winter season.

What to Expect

How to Use It

  • Make it visible. Print NFID “Wild to Mild” posters or VDH “Little Things” graphics for breakrooms, waiting rooms, or bulletin boards.
  • Share it forward. Include links or images in your facility newsletter, onboarding packets, or weekly staff updates.
  • Use data to drive action. Review local flu activity together and discuss how your facility can stay prepared as the season evolves.

Target Audience: Essential IPC Education Level

Guidance & Regulation Updates

VIPTA members track guidance and regulation resources to share source documents that guide infection prevention and control practices for public health staff and clinical and non-clinical healthcare personnel.

The date of the regulation or guidance update is included in each post.  Please check linked content to be sure it is the most up to date and recommended practice.

APIC: Updated Monkeypox Playbook (11/07/2025)
APIC
Acute Care Hospital
Ambulatory (Outpatient) Care
Department of Health
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Mobile Clinic
Outbreak Investigation
Patient and Family Engagement
Surveillance
Recent updates to the Monkeypox Playbook include the CDC’s Traveler Health Notice advising enhanced precautions and an updated Risk/Triage Scale recommending increased awareness. Additional information covers the current global situation of monkeypox and the latest outbreak reports.
SHEA: Multisociety Guidance for Infection Prevention and Control in Nursing Homes (10/20/2025)
SHEA
Acute Care Rehabilitation or Long-Term Care Acute Hospital (LTACH)
Assisted Living Facility (ALF)
Hospice and Palliative Care
Nursing Home / Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
The guidance offers recommendations for infection prevention and control (IPC) in nursing homes to address challenges including medical acuity and the rise of multidrug-resistant organisms. It emphasizes the importance of IPC leadership, training, and adherence to precautions while also considering the balance between maintaining a home-like environment and ensuring effective infection prevention measures.
SHEA/APIC: Multisociety Guidance for Infection Prevention and Control in Nursing Homes (10/28/2025)
APIC
SHEA
Acute Care Rehabilitation or Long-Term Care Acute Hospital (LTACH)
Assisted Living Facility (ALF)
Hospice and Palliative Care
Nursing Home / Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
Cleaning and Disinfection
Employee/Occupational Health
Hand Hygiene
High Level Disinfection
Outbreak Investigation
Physical Environment / Environment of Care (EOC)
This guidance document updates the 2008 SHEA/Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) guideline: Infection Prevention and Control in the Long-Term Care Facility and is intended to assist nursing homes in the United States in defining and implementing their infection prevention and control (IPC) programs and practices. Recommendations and implementation suggestions address IPC leadership, staffing, and resources, healthcare personnel and residents‘ adherence to precautions and effective hand hygiene, outbreak preparedness, training, occupational health, cleaning and disinfection in the care environment, and the involvement of IPC in the facility.
VDH Clinician Letter: Updates to CDC Immunization Schedule (10/10/2025)
CDC
VDH
Ambulatory (Outpatient) Care
Department of Health
Pediatric / NICU
Vaccination
This clinician letter outlines updates to immunization schedules for MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella) and COVID-19 vaccines, emphasizing their essential role in community health and safety in Virginia. It discusses the new guidelines, including the separate administration of the MMR and varicella vaccines for children under 4 years, the COVID-19 vaccine's availability for individuals aged 6 months and older, and the importance of verifying insurance coverage prior to vaccination.
VDH Clinician Letter: COVID-19 Vaccine Update (09/11/2025)
VDH
Any Practice Setting
Department of Health
Vaccination
This letter provides important updates about the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine. The State Health Commissioner issued a Statewide Standing Order authorizing pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to adults consistent with FDA indication.
Photo of 8 APIC-VA Conference Participants

APIC Virginia Conference

On October 5th and 6th, infection preventionists and public health partners from around the state came together in Richmond, VA for two days of education, networking, and learning about new products from industry partners.

The Virginia chapter of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC Virginia) had their highest attendance ever, with over 100 attendees for the conference on Friday, and approximately 60 pre-conference attendees on Thursday!

Preconference attendees learned the ins and outs of basic microbiology, how specimen collection can impact culture results, how to read susceptibility results and antibiograms, and how they can contribute to antimicrobial stewardship programs by focusing on enhancing their partnership with the laboratory.

Conference attendees brushed up on water management, dialysis, construction, nasal decolonization as a means to prevent infection, and heard about interesting Group A Strep and scabies outbreaks. A social event on Thursday provided great food and drink, and opportunities to network and socialize.

APIC Virginia looks forward to seeing you at next year’s educational conference! 

IPC Education & Training Library

Search the VIPTA library of curated infection prevention and control (IPC) education and training resources. The IPC Education & Training Resource Library includes state and national resources related to healthcare-associated infections, antimicrobial resistance and/or IPC. Visit the VIPTA FAQ page to learn more about VIPTA library content.

 

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Last Updated: June 30, 2025