Sotrovimab’s maker seeks okay for drug to be delivered by injection
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 14, 2022
An easier administration method could be a big help to long-term care clinicians. Sotrovimab is currently the only monoclonal antibody treatment shown to be highly effective against the omicron variant.
Clinical briefs for Friday, Jan. 14
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 14, 2022
Supreme Court says yea to CMS vaccine mandate, nay to OSHA’s version … Biden to deploy strike medical teams, allocate more rapid tests and N95 masks as omicron rages … CDC: Mask recommendations...
LTC residents with prior COVID-19 infection may have big immune advantage, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 13, 2022
Nursing home residents who have weathered a prior COVID-19 infection are more likely to show robust signs of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 six months after vaccination, a study across five facilities has found.
Clinical briefs for Thursday, Jan. 13
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 13, 2022
New spike in COVID-19 deaths likely tied to delta variant, CDC director says … Feds tap Johns Hopkins health security chief to lead national testing initiative as omicron rages … Pneumonia shot safe...
Medicare may cover cost of Aduhelm for clinical trial participants only; critics say move is ‘unethical’
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 12, 2022
The coverage proposal is unusual but appropriate for the Medicare population, CMS officials said. But detractors have immediately piled on, with the Alzheimer’s Association calling it discriminatory...
Long-term care providers who’ve been flummoxed about recent infection control guidance coming from federal health agencies are not alone.
Healthcare workers who receive booster shots found to have lower coronavirus infection rates
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 12, 2022
A new study from Israel in healthcare workers has found lower rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection among those who received a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine.
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, Jan. 12
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 12, 2022
In absence of Supreme Court ruling, work toward compliance with OSHA rule, experts advise … $80.5 million grant meant to help providers address lingering pandemic effects … Immunocompromised are eligible...
Becerra orders CMS to rethink $22 Medicare Part B premium price hike tied to Aduhelm
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 11, 2022
With the 50% price drop of Aduhelm on January 1, there is good reason for CMS to reassess a hefty proposed premium hike for 2022, the U.S. health secretary said. On Wednesday, CMS is expected to announce...
Shot targeting omicron may be ready by March, Pfizer predicts
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 11, 2022
The company says it is working with partner BioNTech to develop a shot that will combine its original vaccine with a drug that helps build immunity to the highly transmissible omicron variant.