New COVID booster shot rollout expected near Labor Day: officials
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 25, 2022
The FDA expects to soon authorize omicron-targeting shots. The White House is planning to distribute them as part of a fall vaccination campaign, federal officials say.
Florida providers are working toward complying with the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate — despite Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) pledge that the state won’t enforce the regulation.
Shared bedrooms, bathrooms linked to higher COVID-19 outbreaks
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 11, 2020
Nursing homes that utilize shared rooms and bathrooms for residents are at a higher risk of experiencing larger and more deadly COVID-19 outbreaks than facilities that house residents mostly in private...
FDA greenlights first home COVID test with traditional premarket review
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 07, 2023
The Cue COVID-19 Molecular Test is the first at-home COVID-19 test to be granted marketing authorization outside of emergency use authorities, representing a new era of consumer access to diagnostic tests,...
CMS withholds another $1-plus million over vaccine mandate compliance
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 14, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has withheld $1.2 million in funding from Florida over the state’s refusal to monitor facilities ability to meet the federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement...
Kansas losing $350,000 for not enforcing healthcare worker vaccine mandate
By
Danielle Brown
Mar 31, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is cutting Kansas’ Medicaid funding by nearly $350,000 for not enforcing the federal healthcare worker COVID-19 vaccine mandate in nursing homes and hospitals.
BREAKING: HHS reveals provider incentive plan for remaining $2 billion in relief funding
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 03, 2020
The Department of Health and Human Services announced it will use infection and mortality rates to determine nursing home incentive pay when distributing a previously announced $2 billion Provider Relief...
New data show high excess mortality from RSV, reduced threat from flu among older adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 02, 2022
The first such study in 13 years finds nuanced changes in the risk that flu and respiratory syncytial virus pose to seniors, and underscores the impact of the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic on infections and deaths...
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.