Feds wait for lowered vaccine efficacy to recommend COVID-19 booster shots
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 22, 2021
COVID-19 vaccine booster shots will not be necessary until mRNA vaccines become less effective, federal health officials say. But immunocompromised Americans are potential near-term recipients, they told...
Can we now close the book on COVID?
By
T.J. Griffin
Jul 13, 2021
The Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program that was forged through a joint agreement with our Defense and Health and Human Services departments was a successful national effort that presided over...
An analysis of more than 7,000 IPC surveys finds that nursing homes have made “substantial” progress in taking up core elements of antibiotic stewardship as recommended by the agency.
CDC: COVID vaccines safe during pregnancy, allaying a top concern of nursing home workers
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 28, 2021
Pregnancy concerns are cited as one of the top reasons for vaccine hesitancy among long-term care workers, but there were no obvious signs of third trimester adverse events among pregnant women who received...
Treating rare blood clots related to J&J COVID vaccine following usage suspension: new guidance
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 28, 2021
Advisers to the CDC have released new clinical guidance and education regarding a rare blood clotting condition reported after vaccination.
COVID death rates are way down. Now comes the hard part
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 26, 2021
Answering pleas to open up facility visitation policies is going to be trickier than many realize.
‘Significant ramp-up’ of vaccinations coming for long-term care; AHCA happy with process
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 07, 2021
Vaccination efforts in long-term care facilities are expected to accelerate noticeably in the coming days and weeks, the nation’s top federal health official asserted Wednesday.
Thanks in part to COVID-19 precautions, flu season is off to mild start, CDC expert says
By
Liza Berger
Dec 14, 2020
There appears to be an indirect upside to all the mask wearing and social distancing: less flu activity in nursing homes and overall.
The dissent: CDC adviser fears loss of vaccine confidence
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 07, 2020
Although the first COVID-19 vaccines may be safe, symptoms or death from unrelated causes in the vulnerable LTC population may be incorrectly associated with immunization, one adviser says.
CDC advisers: Long-term care workers, residents should receive first COVID-19 vaccinations
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 02, 2020
An influential committee on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to recommend that healthcare personnel and residents in long-term care should be the very first recipients of COVID-19 vaccinations. The vote reflects...