Arthritis drug Actemra in short supply as demand for use in COVID ramps up
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 18, 2021
Demand for Actemra IV has skyrocketed due to the latest wave of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, drugmaker Genentech says. In the past two weeks alone, orders for the drug shot up to 400% of pre-COVID...
COVID-19 vaccination now a condition of employment for some senior living operators
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jan 13, 2021
Atria Senior Living and Juniper Communities say that mandating vaccinations is the responsible thing to do, and the quickest route to re-engaging with community life.
Pharmacies to long-term care: Get in front of COVID-19 vaccination questions
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 07, 2020
With vaccine approval anticipated shortly, the best communicators will have the smoothest Phase 1 vaccination process, say Omnicare and PharMerica. Community pharmacies have recommendations as well.
Boosters on the way: LTC residents, healthcare workers may top fed’s list after CDC approves 3rd shot
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 16, 2021
The Biden administration has secured 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses as part of a strategy to provide additional shots to already vaccinated priority groups this fall, investigators have been told....
It’s official: Community pharmacies partner with feds for COVID vaccine distribution
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 16, 2020
Future vaccines will be available to community pharmacies through partnerships with network
administrators, HHS has announced. The public-private collaboration will help cover expected distribution gaps,...
Supreme Court leans toward making healthcare workers choose: Be vaxxed or axed
By
Kimberly Marselas
James M. Berklan
Jan 10, 2022
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday appeared to show a willingness to back the federal government’s desire to require most healthcare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Nursing home COVID-19 infections quadruple as booster rate slows
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
Jun 21, 2022
An AARP analysis shows a sharp uptick in infections between mid-April and mid-May, while residents’ booster shots have slowed to a trickle.
COVID-19 pneumonia more fatal for older adults
Feb 13, 2023
COVID-19 is associated with significantly higher mortality in older adults in the intensive care unit (ICU) versus pneumonias from bacterial or other viral etiologies, according to a study published online...
Moderna’s COVID vaccine tops 90% efficacy, can be refrigerated for 1 month
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 17, 2020
Moderna’s trial vaccine will have big distribution advantages over Pfizer’s similarly successful candidate if both drugs are approved by the FDA.
Lab responsible for COVID testing errors at dozens of nursing homes faces possible federal sanctions
By
Danielle Brown
Oct 20, 2020
A Massachusetts laboratory responsible for COVID-19 testing errors at several nursing homes could face fines of up to $10,000 per day for lab practices that jeopardized the safety of residents.