CDC safety panel: J&J vaccine benefits outweigh rare neuro risks seen in older adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 26, 2021
The benefits of the shot — including reduced hospitalization, intensive care unit admission and death — outweigh the risk of contracting Guillain-Barre syndrome, the Advisory Committee on Immunization...
CDC: New SNF data show COVID-19 booster improves omicron protection
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
May 06, 2022
Data from thousands of U.S. skilled nursing facilities show that a COVID-19 booster shot is more protective against omicron than an initial series alone, investigators say.
Spring is coming… why are we adding more layers?
By
Angi Livingston
Mar 07, 2022
In addition to tracking and submitting extensive COVID-19 data to NHSN weekly and providing numerous data requests to surveyors, facilities now have to dedicate resources to populating a COVID-19 Staff...
COVID-19 vaccinations are essentially at a standstill in U.S. nursing homes and assisted living communities due to federal officials’ call today for a pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
BREAKING: CMS details vaccination targets in new mandate guidance
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 29, 2021
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Tuesday issued surveyor guidance on assessing long-term care facilities’ compliance with a federal mandate for healthcare worker COVID-19 vaccinations.
Vaccination nation
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Aug 11, 2021
Last week an insurance adjuster came over to scope out some storm damage. Anyone who enters my home must be vaccinated or wear a mask (I keep clean masks at the front door. I’m nice like that). If...
Second J&J shot ‘significantly’ increases COVID-19 antibodies; firm heads toward approval process
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 26, 2021
A Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster could be made available to long-term care residents and healthcare providers, as well as the rest of the American public, after the company unveiled promising results...
Approaching the finish line
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Sep 13, 2021
I went to a wedding this month. Let me rephrase that: I went to a wedding that was a three-day, in-person, 125-attendees, sitting-at-tables-for-eight, extravaganza with family I haven’t seen in...
When good men say nothing
By
Gary Tetz
Aug 05, 2021
Though Genesis HealthCare is making vaccinations for long-term care workers mandatory, I’m not so foolish as to reveal my own true feelings about the requirement. I fear the warring ghosts of liberty...
LTC vaccinators opt to briefly halt J&J shots while awaiting FDA guidance
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 14, 2021
Long-term care pharmacies and clinicians have temporarily paused their use of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID vaccine following recommendations from health officials. Guidance is needed quickly in order to...