What happens once Phase 1 vaccine clinics wrap up? Ensuring access to next doses
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Alicia Lasek
Feb 10, 2021
Industry advocates and the CDC answer key questions: How to facilitate a smooth transition to a new vaccine supplier; and how to guarantee second doses for staff and residents who receive their first dose...
Use the ‘5 C’s’ to tackle COVID vaccine hesitancy, physicians say
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 04, 2021
The reasons for vaccine hesitancy — a delay in acceptance or refusal to be vaccinated — can be boiled down to five important factors that may help clinicians understand and better approach this issue,...
Vaccinations tied to drop in nursing home infections; states want greater role in pharmacy allocations
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 17, 2021
Nursing homes experienced a 48% decline in new resident cases three weeks after their first onsite vaccine clinic. That’s compared with a 21% decline among unvaccinated nursing homes located in the...
Simultaneous flu and COVID shots work well in older adults, new study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 16, 2021
Given together, the vaccines are safe and spur a robust antibody response, a first-of-its-kind trial finds.
LTC residents have detectable antibodies 6 months after COVID vaccination
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 12, 2021
All residents tested in University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Senior Communities were found to have antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 after full vaccination. The findings are “cautious good news,”...
Pfizer, Moderna vaccines recommended over Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus shot
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 17, 2021
Americans should preferably be vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines due to a rare but serious risk of blood clots and the lesser protection found with the J&J vaccine, CDC says.
Require COVID-19 vaccination of all healthcare workers, seven clinical groups say
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 14, 2021
Their evidence-based verdict: healthcare institutions and facilities — including long-term care facilities — should require that their personnel be vaccinated as a condition of employment.
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...
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.
U.S. COVID-19 strategy must veer to protecting the vulnerable, experts say
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 22, 2022
When planning for a future with COVID-19, some clinicians believe that the public health focus should turn from stopping transmission to protecting those most likely to become severely ill, according to...