CDC Updates Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel
Updated May 8, 2023 — As of May 11, CDC will no longer receive data needed to publish Community Transmission levels for SARS-CoV-2. This metric informed CDC’s recommendations for broader use of source control in healthcare facilities to allow for earlier intervention, to avoid strain on a healthcare system, and to better protect individuals seeking … Continue reading “CDC Updates Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel “
CDC Update: Preliminary COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Signal for Persons Aged 65 Years and Older
Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement about a recently detected preliminary signal for stroke in people ages 65 and older who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 bivalent mRNA vaccine. To date, they have not seen an association or increased risk of stroke from vaccines in these databases. The totality of the … Continue reading “CDC Update: Preliminary COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Signal for Persons Aged 65 Years and Older”
FDA Expands Authorization for COVID-19 Bivalent Boosters
The FDA has amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent to authorize their use as a single booster dose in younger age groups. The Moderna Booster is authorized for administration at least two months following completion of primary or booster vaccination in children down … Continue reading “FDA Expands Authorization for COVID-19 Bivalent Boosters”
CMS released three guidance memos updating earlier COVID-19 requirements.
QSO-20-38-NH, revised on September 23, 2022, updates the CMS requirement originally released in August 2020 requiring COVID-19 testing for all staff and residents in Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities. The revised rule no longer recommends routine testing of asymptomatic staff, but such testing may be performed at the discretion of the facility. The guidance also includes … Continue reading “CMS released three guidance memos updating earlier COVID-19 requirements.”
Transition of COVID-19 Hospital Reporting to NHSN
NHSN will assume responsibility for collection of COVID-19 hospital data mid-December 2022. No change in reporting is required at this time. CDC will communicate actions needed to prepare for the transition to NHSN users and COVID-19 reporters and discussed in scheduled webinars. CDC/NHSN has established a transition web page to provide important updates, upcoming trainings, and next steps. We … Continue reading “Transition of COVID-19 Hospital Reporting to NHSN”
Updated Guidance for Testing for SARS-CoV-2
The CDC recently updated its COVID-19 testing guidance to recommend that if someone has had exposure to a person with COVID-19 and is asymptomatic, but has had COVID-19 within the past 30 days, testing to identify a new infection is generally not recommended. If someone has become newly symptomatic after having had COVID-19 within the … Continue reading “Updated Guidance for Testing for SARS-CoV-2”
COVID-19 Antigen Test Kits Recalled
North American Diagnostics is recalling Oral Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test Kits because they were distributed without authorization, clearance, or approval from the FDA. North American Diagnostics did not provide the FDA with adequate validation data to show that the test’s performance is accurate. Use of these test kits may cause serious adverse health consequences … Continue reading “COVID-19 Antigen Test Kits Recalled”
FDA Recommends Steps to Reduce False Negative COVID-19 Tests
8/11/22 — The FDA is advising people to perform repeat, or serial, testing following a negative result on any at-home COVID-19 antigen test, to reduce the risk an infection may be missed (false negative result) and to help prevent people from unknowingly spreading the SARS-CoV-2 virus to others. The FDA recommends repeat testing following a negative … Continue reading “FDA Recommends Steps to Reduce False Negative COVID-19 Tests”
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.