Mutations and Vaccines

Angie SzumlinskiHealth, News

As scientists are trying to track the spread of a new, more infectious coronavirus variant, it has been identified that the mutation identified in South Africa and Brazil, changes a part of the virus that your immune system’s antibodies get trained to recognize after you’ve been infected or vaccinated. What the lab studies have shown is that the antibodies we …

Evaluating SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements, News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for 2 vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), one developed jointly by Pfizer and BioNTech and the other by Moderna. According to company press releases and data made available by the FDA, both vaccines have shown approximately 95% efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infections …

Lead By Example – Vaccinate!

Angie SzumlinskiHealth, Studies

A single state survey was conducted in the state of Indiana to determine the willingness of long-term care staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Staff characteristics including age, gender, race, ethnicity, role in the facility, experience in long-term care, and geographic location of the facility were self-reported along with prior infection and willingness to receive an approved vaccine as soon …

COVID-19 Vaccine Reactions – CDC MMWR

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements, Health, News

The CDC has issued updated interim clinical considerations for use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the United States and interim considerations for preparing for the potential management of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs rarely after vaccination. In addition to screening for contraindications and precautions before administering COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine locations should have the …

COVID-19 Vaccine – Level of Trust

Angie SzumlinskiHealth

In a recent article published in Skilled Nursing News, Lori Porter, the CEO and co-founder of the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA) said “there is hesitancy, of course, until we know if it’s mandated or not, we’re not really going to know exactly what’s going to happen. From what we can tell, the CDC won’t make it mandatory, …

HCAM/MCAL Member Update – Vaccination Distribution

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements

White House Announces Vaccination Distribution Program for LTC Residents Today, the White House announced the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program–a national vaccine distribution program for long term care residents.  The COVID-19 vaccine will likely become available in phases over the coming months. To prepare, the federal government has partnered with CVS and Walgreens to distribute and administer the vaccine …

Mandatory Influenza Vaccinations?

Angie SzumlinskiHealth

Preventing influenza infections is a national health priority, particularly among geriatric and adults with frailty who reside in post-acute and long-term care settings. Older adults account for more than 70% of deaths from influenza, a reflection of decreased vaccine effectiveness in that age group. Per the AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine Policy Statement on Influenza …