Study pinpoints factors than cut residents’ risk of omicron infection
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 30, 2023
A study of nearly 1,000 residents underscores the importance of vaccine type and number of doses in maintaining protective immunity, and reducing the risk of breakthrough infections, investigators say.
FDA authorizes omicron-targeting vaccines as preferred COVID booster shots
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 01, 2022
The FDA has authorized new, bivalent versions of Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines to be used as booster shots. At the same time, the original monovalent versions are no longer authorized as...
CDC: New SNF data show COVID-19 booster improves omicron protection
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
May 06, 2022
Data from thousands of U.S. skilled nursing facilities show that a COVID-19 booster shot is more protective against omicron than an initial series alone, investigators say.
Docs push for new COVID-19 funding as signs point to rebound in U.S. omicron cases
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 17, 2022
The alternative is to risk leaving patients without access to needed vaccines, treatments and testing, the American College of Physicians has told Congress.
Skilled nursing’s bigger COVID killer
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 25, 2022
Perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised about some of the latest news about COVID and its effects on the skilled nursing sector. But I was. And you can be sure there’s more to come in the future.
Clinical briefs for Friday, Feb. 18
By
Amy Novotney
Feb 18, 2022
CDC reforming COVID-19 guidance … Nearly three-quarters of the U.S. now estimated to be immune to omicron variant … Brain synapse destruction culprit behind Alzheimer’s cognitive decline … Treatment...
Feds shrink Pfizer booster interval to 5 months as omicron surges
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 05, 2022
The decision is part of an effort to increase the number of booster shot recipients and build up Americans’ immunity in response to skyrocketing COVID-19 cases, officials said.
No quarantine for certain workers as CDC faces down omicron, staff shortages
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 04, 2022
Healthcare workers infected with SARS-CoV-2 may now return to work in seven days or less — and some exposed workers may be advised to remain on the job, the CDC now says.
Antigen tests may be less sensitive to omicron, FDA says
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 04, 2022
Antigen tests may not be able to detect the omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant as well as they could previous variants, an early laboratory study has found.
Omicron renders Pfizer vaccine less effective; variant surge to hit U.S. by January
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 15, 2021
The vaccine is less able to prevent infection, but retains 70% protection against hospitalization, a new study shows. The news comes as federal health officials warn that omicron is spreading rapidly in...