The COVID race: Vaccines 90% effective in frontline workers, but variant cases rising
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 30, 2021
The pace of U.S. vaccinations must hold up against the effects of spreading virus variants to keep further outbreaks under control, according to the CDC and expert observers.
Town hall meetings reveal vaccine misinformation ‘widespread’ among SNF staff
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 29, 2021
“Outspoken” staff members from 50 skilled nursing facilities shared their vaccine concerns with investigators in a series of meetings this winter. The speed of vaccine development and infertility-...
Clinical briefs for Thursday, March 25
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 25, 2021
New program highlights heroic efforts by long-term care staff during pandemic … COVID infections very rare among the vaccinated; no evidence yet that variants change risk … Updated Cochrane review...
Long-term care staff warm up to vaccine with 94 percent increase in willingness
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 24, 2021
The latest surveys show a major shift in LTC staff members’ willingness to receive a coronavirus shot, and that healthcare workers are the most trusted source of vaccine information nationally.
CDC posts videos to educate staff, residents on its 2 vaccine safety systems
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 17, 2021
YouTube videos detail the VAERS reporting system for CNAs and other facility providers, plus the agency’s smartphone-enabled post-vaccination health checker, or v-safe, which can be used by residents...
COVID cases fall 82% in nursing homes; vaccination will help thwart variants, advocates say
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 03, 2021
The steep drop in coronavirus cases over seven weeks is a sign that vaccinations are working and are the key to a normalized life for residents, the AHCA/NCAL says.
Time to roll up those sleeves and mandate vaccines
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 24, 2021
For the last month or so, we’ve spotlighted successes from the COVID-19 vaccine front, trying to understand which strategies truly help providers drive up acceptance rates. Even the smallest details...
Vaccines safe for long-term care residents, first-month data show
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 23, 2021
Resident deaths following receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination are not linked to the shot, according to data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Are we there yet? Vaccination success won’t ease need for LTC vigilance, observers say
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 18, 2021
The need for stepped-up infection control measures likely will remain a necessity for the foreseeable future, say industry observers and stakeholders.
Vaccinations tied to drop in nursing home infections; states want greater role in pharmacy allocations
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 17, 2021
Nursing homes experienced a 48% decline in new resident cases three weeks after their first onsite vaccine clinic. That’s compared with a 21% decline among unvaccinated nursing homes located in the...