COVID-19 isn’t gone… It’s evolving. In 2025, vaccine advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their national vaccine strategy, putting infection prevention back in the spotlight for long-term and post-acute care. For staff, this year’s changes bring both a challenge and an opportunity: protecting residents with complex needs while reinforcing the everyday practices that stop infections before they spread.
Here’s what different this year, and what your facility needs to know:
Changing vaccine guidance and uneven state policies are creating new challenges for staff and residents seeking COVID-19 protection. Under the federal requirement for shared clinical decision-making, most people must now consult with their medical providers, and sometimes their insurers, before getting vaccinated. That process can create barriers, such as limited provider availability or insurance hurdles.
At the same time, the highly transmissible JN.1 variant underscores the need for added protection. Taken together, these developments mean that vaccination must be paired with strong infection-control practices to truly protect vulnerable populations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new Viral Respiratory Pathogens Toolkit for Nursing Homes recommends a comprehensive strategy that includes vaccines, testing, and infection control practices to stop the spread of respiratory infections.
Here’s a refresher on key infection prevention and control measures in long-term and post-acute care settings.
Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette
Hand hygiene is still the number-one defense:
Respiratory hygiene is equally important since it prevents the spread of droplets:
Personal protective equipment (PPE) acts as a barrier between you and infection:
Environmental cleaning is equally important:
Safe sharps disposal prevents secondary infections. Dispose of needles and scalpels in puncture-proof containers at the point of use, and never recap.
Biohazardous waste, such as used gloves, masks, or cleaning cloths contaminated with body fluids, should be discarded in clearly labeled red bags or containers.
With prevention in place, the next step is ensuring vaccines reach everyone who needs them.
With the updated vaccine guidance, ensure your facility actively communicates the importance of COVID-19 and other recommended vaccinations and helps residents and staff obtain them.
Even with strong prevention, outbreaks can happen. Speed is key:
Because COVID-19 evolves quickly, staying flexible and ready to adapt policies is essential.
The CDC advisory panel’s latest vaccine guidance reframes COVID-19 vaccination as a tool within a broader infection-control strategy. When paired with infection-prevention basics—hand hygiene, PPE, cleaning, ventilation, and rapid outbreak response—care teams can safeguard both residents and staff.
Consistency in these practices is key. It creates a culture where safety is visible, infections are rare, and families trust the care environment.
Ask yourself: Is your facility ready for the season ahead?
At Showd.me, we help long-term and post-acute care organizations take the guesswork out of infection prevention. Our platform ensures training is consistent, policies are standardized, and staff are equipped with the knowledge they need—day in and day out.
Let Showd.me deliver the essential training your employees need, saving you time, reducing training costs, and ensuring compliance. No heavy lift required!
