FDA proposes two annual COVID shots for seniors in ‘simplified’ vaccine schedule
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 24, 2023
In an effort to streamline COVID-19 protection, older adults and others vulnerable to severe disease would receive two annual shots of an updated vaccine, according to a plan to be evaluated on Thursday...
‘We will not go back’ to early pandemic restriction, CMS leader says
By
Kimberly Marselas
Joe Bush
Oct 17, 2022
Promoting a return to normalcy, a top CMS official said Sunday that nursing homes will not return to the stringent isolation policies of the early pandemic.
Nursing homes get a third of a billion dollars for meeting infection control standards
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 29, 2020
Nursing homes may be seeing a rise in COVID-19 infections as cases in many areas of the country are resurging, but providers now know that, no matter what, they will be rewarded for safer performances...
State to test nursing home residents for antibodies, weigh need for 4th vax
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 24, 2022
The state of Maryland will test nursing home residents for COVID-19 antibodies in a proactive effort to determine whether or not they should be offered a fourth vaccine dose, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced...
Show us the data: COVID vaccine boosters may get go-ahead, but LTC docs remain wary
By
Alicia Lasek
Danielle Brown
Aug 09, 2021
Booster shots for the most vulnerable appear to be on a fast track to federal authorization. But clinicians want information about necessity, safety, dosing and more to justify prescribing an extra dose...
Staff and residents differ in willingness to be vaccinated
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 04, 2021
There is a distinct contrast between the numbers of long-term care staff members and residents willing to receive the first round of COVID-19 vaccines, industry observers report. Education is key to supporting...
Vaccination pace to speed up in long-term care; focus is now on uptake, advocate says
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 07, 2021
Encouraging uptake among staff and residents should be LTC administrators’ goal as the vaccination program ramps up, according to the AHCA / NCAL.
Also in the News for Tuesday, Jan. 18
Jan 17, 2022
Connecticut providers, AG exploring staffing agency price caps, other antitrust measures … Maryland adds test-to-enter visitor policy … Florida may extend COVID-19 liability protections for nursing...
BREAKING: CMS clarifies nursing homes may put some limits on visitors
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 23, 2021
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Thursday acknowledged “very limited and rare exceptions” that would allow nursing homes to restrict some visits.
Infection control without adding staff — it’s not just a fluke
By
Mary Cole
Jul 26, 2023
In a recent letter to leaders in Congress, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) highlighted the “astonishing lack of attention to infection prevention and control...