FDA Launches Rumor Control Web Page
8/9/22 – FDA launched a new Rumor Control web page to provide facts in response to the growing spread of rumors, misinformation, and disinformation about science and medicine that is putting patients and consumers at risk.
FDA Provides Information on Monkeypox Virus to Blood Donation Centers
8/12/22 – Working closely with the CDC and other federal and international agencies to monitor spread of the monkeypox virus, FDA issued a safety communication for blood establishments. FDA notes that there have been no reports of monkeypox transmission through blood transfusion. FDA believe that the robust existing safeguards for blood safety and donor screening … Continue reading “FDA Provides Information on Monkeypox Virus to Blood Donation Centers”
FDA Issues EUA for Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine
7/13/22 — The FDA issued emergency use authorization for the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, adjuvanted for prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older. Novavax is administered as a primary series in two doses, three weeks apart. Read more.
COVID-19 PHE Extended
7/15/22 — The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)has renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), effective July 15. The PHE declaration, first issued January 2020, must be renewed every 90 days. HHS will provide states at least 60 days’ notice prior to termination of the PHE. Read the secretary’s declaration.
FDA Authorizes Some Pharmacists to Prescribe Paxlovid
7/6/22 — The FDA revised the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir), to authorize state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid to eligible patients, with certain limitations to ensure appropriate patient assessment and prescribing of Paxlovid for treatment of COVID-19. Read more.
CDC Report on COVID-19 Impact on Antibiotic Resistance
7/12/22 — The U.S. lost progress combating antimicrobial resistance (AR) in 2020 due, in large part, to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the newly released CDC report “COVID-19: U.S. Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance, Special Report 2022.” CDC’s 2019 AR Threats Report showed deaths from AR infections had decreased by 18 percent from 2012 through 2017. However, … Continue reading “CDC Report on COVID-19 Impact on Antibiotic Resistance”
Five Commercial Labs Testing for Monkeypox
7/12/22 — The CDC has provided orthopoxvirus tests to five commercial laboratory companies to increase monkeypox testing capacity and access in every community. The lab companies include Aegis Science, Labcorp, May Clinic Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics, and Sonic Healthcare. Read more.
CDC Update Guidance for Use of PPE in LTC
7/12/22 — CDC has released updated guidance for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in nursing homes to prevent the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). This guidance expands the use of enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) to include any residents of a nursing home with an indwelling medical device or wound, as well as residents with known infection … Continue reading “CDC Update Guidance for Use of PPE in LTC”
CDC HAN Alert: Human Parechovirus in U.S.
7/12/22 — The CDC is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform clinicians and public health departments that parechovirus (PeV) is currently circulating in the United States. Since May 2022, CDC has received reports from healthcare providers in multiple states of PeV infections in neonates and young infants. Parechoviruses are a group of … Continue reading “CDC HAN Alert: Human Parechovirus in U.S.”
CMS Issues Updated Guidance on IPC Programs in Nursing Homes
6/29/22 — CMS issued updates to guidance on minimum health and safety standards that long-term care (LTC) facilities must meet to participate in Medicare and Medicaid. CMS memorandum QSP-22-19-NH provides summaries of revisions to surveyor guidance for Phases 2 and 3 of the LTC requirements, which will become effective October 24, 2022. Requirements for Infection Preventionists in … Continue reading “CMS Issues Updated Guidance on IPC Programs in Nursing Homes”