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.
FDA calls for investigation into its approval of controversial Alzheimer’s drug
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 12, 2021
The acting chief of the Food and Drug Administration has called for an investigation into the events leading up to the approval of Biogen’s brain plaque-clearing dementia drug aducanumab (Aduhelm).
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-...
New Biden executive order would tie Medicare rates to turnover
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 18, 2023
President Joe Biden’s new executive order includes several measures intended to improve access to long-term care and bolster job protections for those who work in skilled nursing.
CDC chief endorses COVID booster shots for nursing home residents, healthcare workers
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 24, 2021
Older and medically compromised adults and workers in high-risk settings should be offered third doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, M.D., said early Friday. Her decision...
CDC briefing: Top officials talk up vaccine plans, focus on long-term care
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 22, 2020
Federal health officials touted transparency and nationwide distribution plans while keeping their eye on Phase 1 vaccine recipients, including LTC residents and workers.
‘No time to be afraid’: Providers recall early months of pandemic, resilience of sector
By
Danielle Brown
Oct 09, 2020
The resilience, work ethic and sacrifice made by providers and staff during the current public health crisis were honored by the nation’s largest nursing home association Thursday as it kicked off its...
LeadingAge calls for ample PPE, as providers ‘scrounge’ for supplies in indescribable places
By
Danielle Brown
May 08, 2020
LeadingAge providers appealed to the federal government Thursday to provide immediate access to ample PPE for frontline and healthcare workers to keep them safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
Lab cautions nursing homes against inaccuracy of newer, ‘cheaper’ test kits
By
Liza Berger
May 07, 2020
Nursing homes should not use all test kits to detect the presence of the novel coronavirus among residents and staff because of the kits’ likelihood for inaccuracy, the head of a major nursing home lab...
LTC coalition ramps up fight against sending COVID-19 patients to nursing homes; coronavirus deals blow...
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 03, 2020
Providers are again warning against state efforts that would force nursing homes to accept all admissions from hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic, saying the plans are “not sound policy” and...