COVID-19 vaccine more effective in nursing home residents with past virus exposure: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 16, 2021
Nursing home residents who have had a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection have stronger responses to vaccination than those who have not been exposed to the virus, a real-life investigation finds.
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.
CDC: COVID vaccines can be interchanged and doses delayed in supply crunch
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 26, 2021
The agency has suggested exceptions to its official vaccine rules for cases when supply shortages interrupt second doses.
Retail giants wrap up vaccine clinics, launch new LTC services for ongoing care
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 23, 2021
CVS Health and Walgreens have completed their final LTC clinics, and are handing the reins to Omnicare and PharMerica to provide ongoing COVID-19 vaccination services in skilled nursing facilities and...
‘Out in the cold’: LTC pharmacies ask to be matched with vaccination sites, relief funds
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 22, 2020
As their businesses groan under the weight of COVID-19-related expenses, long-term care pharmacists are pressing federal officials for relief funds and asking for a bigger role in coronavirus vaccinations.
New ‘weapon in our arsenal’: Antibody drug cuts COVID risk by 80 percent in LTC residents
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 22, 2021
Staff and residents who received Eli Lilly’s monoclonal antibody therapy were less likely to contract symptomatic COVID-19 than placebo groups in a late-stage trial. Industry advocates are hailing...
CMS update for long-term care: J&J vaccine interruption and signs of rare clotting
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 20, 2021
Concerned LTCF staff members and residents should be aware that cases of blood clots after vaccination appear to be “extremely rare,” CMS says. Nevertheless, the agency is encouraging healthcare...
The coronavirus likely began to spread worldwide last year, say researchers
By
Alicia Lasek
May 06, 2020
The pandemic may have started as early as October 2019, quickly adapting to its human host, according to a new genetic analysis.
Vetting COVID-19 vaccine in bariatric population is essential, investigator says
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 17, 2020
Judging from the performance of other vaccines, some experts are concerned that a COVID-19 inoculation will be less effective in people with obesity than for those with a lower body mass.
Opt-in COVID vaccine program kicks off; Feds partner with CVS, Walgreens
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 19, 2020
Long-term care facilities nationwide can voluntarily opt in to a free pharmacy partnership program that will provide and administer future COVID-19 vaccines on site, federal officials announced Friday.