‘Fully vaccinated’ may be moving target in face of breakthroughs, omicron
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 29, 2021
More than a week after federal health officials greenlighted booster shots for all American adults, questions remain about what it means to be “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19 — and whether that...
COVID shot boosters for all adults will help to reduce confusion, FDA says
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 22, 2021
The FDA “heard loud and clear” that a simpler booster strategy was needed, its vaccine chief says. But the action may be too late to head off a winter virus surge, observers say.
Fed’s booster OK too late? Nursing home loses 8 to coronavirus outbreak this fall
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 17, 2021
A Connecticut nursing home has weathered a facility-wide COVID-19 outbreak that has sickened 89 residents and staff. Booster shots were not yet authorized when the first cases appeared, the operator reports.
‘How good are those vaccines now?’ Mixed AARP nursing home report prompts a thorny question
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 15, 2021
A new AARP report shows encouraging trends in COVID-19 cases and vaccinations. But the steady rate of resident deaths raises concerns for the future as vaccine efficacy wanes, analysts say.
FDA expands COVID booster shot access; says vaccines can be mixed or matched
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 21, 2021
The agency has amended the emergency use authorizations for Moderna’s and Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccines to allow for the use of a single booster dose in certain eligible groups.
LeadingAge releases booster shot toolkit for senior living, home care settings
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 06, 2021
The kit provides links to sources of support for on-site booster clinic set-up and guidance for administrators who must encourage off-site vaccine access.
‘Another layer of protection’: Senior care industry commends feds’ booster vaccine decision
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 27, 2021
Industry advocates are welcoming the decision to include residents of long-term care settings and healthcare workers in a new federal recommendation to offer COVID-19 booster shots to at-risk adults.
Vaccine potency wanes, but third COVID shot restores 95 percent efficacy, new data show
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 16, 2021
New data from vaccine maker Pfizer and Israel’s health ministry may help U.S. health agencies make a case for recommending COVID-19 booster shots, various sources report.
Prescribing off-label COVID boosters may put providers at legal risk: report
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 06, 2021
Clinicians who provide additional COVID-19 shots to fully vaccinated patients may be at risk for legal claims if they prescribe the doses outside of current federal guidelines, CDC says.
Third COVID shots ready for LTC by Sept. 20; vaccine efficacy declines in nursing homes
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 19, 2021
The U.S. government is prepared to offer COVID-19 booster shots to vaccinated Americans beginning on Sept. 20, including direct delivery to long-term care facility residents, officials announced Wednesday.