Pfizer, BioNTech to pursue 2nd booster shot authorization for older adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 16, 2022
A second booster — or fourth dose — will be necessary to improve the vaccine’s waning protection in the face of omicron, Pfizer’s CEO has stated. Whether the FDA will find the evidence compelling...
Omicron sub-variants cut potency of monoclonal antibodies, mRNA vaccines: study
Mar 04, 2022
Eli Lilly’s bebtelovimab is the only authorized monoclonal antibody that can neutralize all three dominant sub-variants, investigators say.
Study links 3 key risk factors to coronavirus deaths among older adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 10, 2020
The findings could help clinicians better identify high-risk individuals, say investigators.
FDA advisers support full approval of Paxlovid for at-risk older adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 16, 2023
The antiviral drug Paxlovid should receive full FDA approval to treat COVID-19 in older adults at risk of severe outcomes, the advisers decided in a Thursday vote.
Alzheimer’s blood biomarkers not ready for primary care use, expert panel decides
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 18, 2022
An international group of clinicians and researchers have agreed that Alzheimer’s disease blood biomarkers are a significant breakthrough, but are not yet ready for general clinical and primary care...
Staff buy-in key to reducing ED visits with telemedicine, senior living study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 23, 2021
An attempt to reduce unnecessary emergency department visits with telemedicine triage failed when senior living healthcare providers were not on board. The findings contain lessons for for clinicians and...
Facilities urged to conserve dwindling medical supplies as pandemic persists
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 19, 2020
One in five eldercare facilities will run out of masks, gowns and other PPE if current supplies aren’t carefully conserved, says AHCA / NCAL.
New dashboard to track ‘Long COVID’ cases for healthcare planning
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 25, 2021
The dashboard will track state and county level statistics and trends. The goal is to provide data to healthcare decision makers as they prepare to care for patients with lingering symptoms, says the American...
CMS restricts coverage of Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm to clinical trials
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 08, 2022
Coverage of aducanumab (Aduhelm) is officially limited to clinical trials only, the agency announced Thursday. Most stakeholders have called for restricted use while more efficacy and safety data is gathered,...
CDC: Boosted nursing home residents 10 times less likely to be infected with COVID-19
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 17, 2021
The news, delivered by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, is a bit of cheer amidst other new evidence that COVID-19 cases are increasing among fully vaccinated long-term care residents.