Two years into pandemic, we’re better prepared to fight off virus variants
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 02, 2021
Despite the threat of the quickly spreading and highly mutated omicron coronavirus variant — which has just landed in the U.S. — we are safer than we were before the pandemic, some experts say.
Feds gauging threat to vaccine, test and treatment efficacy in face of omicron variant
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 01, 2021
The United States is prepared to address any potential threat to the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments posed by the new variant, according to the White House and federal health officials.
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, Dec. 1
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 01, 2021
Regeneron’s COVID-19 antibody drug may be less effective against omicron, drugmaker says … Pandemic taking toll on healthcare workers’ sleep patterns … Ambulance staffing shortage frustrating nursing...
CDC advises COVID boosters for all adults, citing worrisome omicron variant
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 30, 2021
The new recommendation comes amid rising concerns about the omicron coronavirus variant — yet another reason to get an additional vaccine dose, health officials say.
J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine 74 percent effective, real-world study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 04, 2021
Data from more than 8,800 vaccinated Mayo Clinic patients has found that a single dose of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine reduces hospitalization in the face of widely circulating gene variants.
COVID vaccines lost some effectiveness in delta surge, ongoing CDC study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 25, 2021
The three federally sanctioned COVID vaccines have lost a “moderate” amount of effectiveness against SARS-CoV-19 ever since the delta gene variant became the predominant U.S. strain, the agency reports.
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, Aug. 3
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 03, 2021
SNF recovery threatened by spread of delta variant: LTC exec … Nursing home COVID-19 outbreaks rising again in hot spots … Massachusetts outbreak prompts CDC to suggest re-upped pandemic mitigation...
Clinical briefs for Thursday, July 29
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 29, 2021
Some Florida nursing homes limit visitation as COVID-19 cases triple … More LTC operators require vaccination for staff as new coronavirus variants raise infections rates … CDC’s indoor mask mandate...
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, July 28
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 28, 2021
Vaccine reporting requirements overwhelm providers during COVID-19 outbreaks … Delta variant’s spread prompts CDC to re-up indoor mask-wearing recommendation … VA becomes first federal department...
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...