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Flu

Millions of H1N1 vaccine doses to expire by Feb. 15

February 04, 2010

Some 12 million doses of H1N1 flu vaccine will expire by Feb. 15. That is earlier than expected, according to manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur, which recently notified U.S. governmental agencies of this finding.

Secondary bacterial infection raises risk of mortality from flu

January 26, 2010

Influenza infection leaves otherwise healthy people open to bacterial infections, which account for a significant number of mortalities during flu season, recent research confirms.

Don't become complacent. Get the H1N1 flu vaccine, government advises

January 11, 2010

While the flu seems to be waning, a new outbreak is still possible, according to the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

FDA approves high-dose flu vaccine for older adults

January 04, 2010

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration late last month approved a high-dose influenza vaccine for people 65 and older.

HHS encouraging everyone to receive H1N1 vaccine

December 18, 2009

The Department of Health and Human Services Thursday widened its H1N1 flu vaccination campaign to those who are not considered at high risk of contracting the illness.

Federal officials scramble to alleviate flu vaccine shortage at nursing homes

November 25, 2009

A nationwide shortage of seasonal flu vaccines at nursing homes has forced federal health officials to redirect existing supplies from chain pharmacies and supermarkets to facilities.

H1N1, seasonal flu on the decline--for now

November 24, 2009

The swine flu appears to have peaked in the U.S., but the pandemic and other forms of flu can hit several peaks in a season, U.S. health officials said.

H1N1 prevention: beyond masks and handwash

John Nappi Jr. November 24, 2009

If a case of H1N1 ends up in your long-term care facility, there are actions you can take to prevent the flu from spreading throughout the building.

CDC: States have received about 44 million doses of H1N1 vaccine

November 23, 2009

A total of about 54.1 million doses of H1N1 flu vaccine have been made available as of last week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday.

Seniors at higher risk of death from H1N1

November 17, 2009

More seniors are likely to die from H1N1 if they contract it than younger people, according to two new reports.

CMS Open Door Forum to clarify use of H1N1 waivers

November 09, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will host an Open Door Forum Tuesday to clarify the use of Section 1135 waivers under the H1N1 national emergency declaration.

Statins help prevent influenza deaths, research suggests

November 05, 2009

People hit hard by seasonal flu strains have a higher likelihood of survival if they're already taking statins for managing cholesterol, according to a new report.

Dementia patients with flu have higher mortality rates

October 29, 2009

Dementia patients don't often get the flu. But when they do it tends to be more deadly than in patients without dementia, according to a new study.

Skilled nursing facilities can petition CMS to waive bed limits under H1N1 national emergency declaration

October 27, 2009

President Obama has declared the H1N1 flu pandemic a national emergency. As a result, skilled nursing facilities can petition the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for a waiver to increase the number of certified beds.

New York suspends H1N1 vaccine requirement for healthcare workers

October 26, 2009

The New York State Health Department halted a regulation requiring all healthcare workers in the state to receive both the H1N1 and seasonal flu inoculations.

State Supreme Court temporarily halts mandatory H1N1 vaccine program for healthcare workers

October 20, 2009

The New York State Supreme Court has temporarily suspended a controversial rule that would require most healthcare workers to receive both the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.

Seniors' H1N1 immunity could come from seasonal flu exposure, vaccinations

October 16, 2009

Seniors' apparent immunity from swine flu could indicate that the human population, as a whole, has a preexisting immunity to H1N1. Such thinking would help explain why H1N1 symptoms have been generally mild, researchers said Wednesday.

CDC continues to support respirator use among healthcare workers during H1N1 pandemic

October 15, 2009

Healthcare workers who are in close contact with patients having suspected or confirmed H1N1 flu should use N95 respirators, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in interim guidance released Wednesday.

McKnight's Newsmaker Video: CDC to make determination on respirators in nursing homes

October 09, 2009

Nursing home providers are awaiting a decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on whether they need respirators as a defense against H1N1. That decision could come today, said Janice Zalen, senior director of special programs for the American Health Care Association.

First H1N1 doses to arrive Tuesday, healthcare workers likely to be first in line

October 05, 2009

The first round of H1N1 vaccines—roughly 600,000 doses in total—will be delivered to 25 cities and states Tuesday. Another 6 million to 7 million doses are expected to be available early next week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDC recommends pneumonia vaccine and flu vaccine for seniors this year

October 02, 2009

Seniors aged 65 and older should consider getting vaccinated against pneumonia as well as the seasonal influenza strain, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend in a new report.

No rest for long-term care providers with swine flu lurking

Liza Berger October 02, 2009

It turns out that seniors, and therefore, long-term care residents, are not entirely safe from the influence of H1N1 after all.

Healthcare worker attitudes toward flu vaccinations concerning, study suggests

September 21, 2009

Concern for patient safety was only third in a list of reasons why healthcare workers get flu vaccinations, according to a study in Germany.

H1N1 vaccine could be available by end of month

September 15, 2009

Health officials say the H1N1 flu vaccine could be available as early as three weeks from now. And only one dose may be needed for each recipient.

New MDS flu guidance for nursing facilities

September 11, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued new MDS coding guidance for skilled nursing facilities for the upcoming flu season.

Medicare to pay same rate for administering H1N1 vaccine as seasonal flu vaccine

September 08, 2009

Healthcare providers will receive the same Medicare payment rate to administer the H1N1 flu vaccine as the seasonal flu vaccine, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said.

Flu vaccinations critical for healthcare workers, APIC warns

September 01, 2009

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control released a statement Monday urging all healthcare workers to get vaccinated against both seasonal flu and H1N1. It also suggested recourse for workers who refuse the vaccine.

Half of Americans could catch swine flu, healthcare workers still reluctant to get vaccinated

August 26, 2009

Slightly less than half the population of the United States could become infected with the H1N1 flu this fall and winter, according to a presidential panel. That trails findings that healthcare workers are still hesitant about receiving the H1N1 vaccine.

H1N1 vaccine to be available in the fall, CDC says

August 17, 2009

Shipment of the vaccine for the H1N1 virus will begin in mid-October, according to a recently released "planning Q&A" from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Administration of the vaccine is expected to begin in the fall, the agency said.

CDC lists seniors low on H1N1 vaccine priority list

July 31, 2009

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday released its recommendations regarding who should receive vaccines against the H1N1 virus. Seniors didn't make the top of the list--but officials had a good reason why.