Updated infection control guidance related to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is expected to be released soon by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with guidelines for return-to-work for healthcare personnel following COVID infection. 

The latter are anticipated to align with the recommendations last approved by the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) November 2024 meeting, before its disbandment in early 2025. This includes allowing healthcare personnel to return to work sooner than the current guidelines, last updated in September 2022, that restrict healthcare personnel for at least seven days.

CDC will be removing this outdated guidance imminently, along with two other outdated guidance documents related to mitigating staff shortages and infection control recommendations for the general public.

Clinical recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination for the 2026/2027 respiratory illness season have not yet been released but are also anticipated soon and are likely to reflect the recommendations from the 2025/2026 season.

CDC released flu vaccination recommendations for 2026/2027 on September 1, 2026, which reflect the 2025/2026 recommendations.

LeadingAge is glad to see movement in this area after continuous advocacy on the issue, including countless conversations with agency staff and this letter to CDC in August 2025.

We look forward to updated guidelines that more accurately reflect our current understanding and experiences with COVID-19.