Vaccines protect against omicron’s fast-spreading sister variant, BA.2, new data show
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 01, 2022
COVID-19 vaccines will continue to protect the public against a spinoff omicron gene variant that’s making inroads across the United States, new data from the United Kingdom suggest.
U.S. gives green light to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 01, 2022
“Spikevax” is the second COVID-19 mRNA vaccine to receive full FDA approval, following Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty in September.
Diabetes deaths reach 100,000 second year in a row, sparking calls for federal action
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 01, 2022
The news is cause for alarm, experts say. A congressional commission is calling for broad federal policy changes to tackle the swiftly growing problem.
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, Feb. 1
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 01, 2022
FDA approves eye drug Vabysmo to treat ‘wet’ macular degeneration in older adults … Diet rich in flavonoid-rich foods boosts longevity in Parkinson’s disease … Allopurinol not linked to higher...
Health officials simplify pneumococcal vaccine guidance
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 31, 2022
The CDC has published revised recommendations for pneumococcal vaccination in the elderly and immunocompromised following a vote by its immunization advisors.
What is the best post-acute care destination for an assisted living resident? It’s complicated, new...
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 31, 2022
Acute care clinicians and discharge planners need more complete information about LTC services and target populations to help ensure that residents land in the most appropriate settings, researchers say.
CDC: Third shot raises mRNA vaccine efficacy against hospitalization for range of patients
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 31, 2022
Adults who receive a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine are better protected against COVID-19 hospitalization than their peers who have received only two doses, and immunocompromised...
Clinical briefs for Monday, Jan. 31
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 31, 2022
CMS provides glimpse into COVID-related LTC survey process … Nursing home residents with omicron half as likely to be hospitalized, UK study finds … Pulse oximeter readings an unreliable indicator...
Infectious disease experts call on clinicians to recognize threat of RSV in elders
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 28, 2022
It’s time for clinicians to get up-to-date on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and help address the threat it poses to older adults, according to a new report and call to action from the National Foundation...
Study highlights nurses’ sleep challenges during pandemic
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 28, 2022
Nurses have lost a lot of sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their sleep problems are closely tied to mental health issues that can affect well-being, a new investigation finds.