Tag: Infection Prevention

CDC recommends Pfizer/BioNTech pediatric COVID-19 vaccine

Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on November 2, recommended broad use of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. Distribution of the vaccine to clinics, children’s hospitals, and pediatricians’ offices across the country have started, with plans to scale up to full…

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By: Judy Mathias
November 4, 2021
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Durability of antibodies after COVID-19 vaccination in HCWs with, without prior infection

Editor's Note This study from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, finds that healthcare workers (HCWs) with prior COVID-19 infection followed by 2 doses of an mRNA vaccine developed higher spike antibody measurements than HCWs with vaccination alone. Of 1,960 HCWs analyzed, 73 (3.7%) had evidence of previous COVID-19 infection. Among those,…

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By: Judy Mathias
November 4, 2021
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CMS: COVID-19 vaccine mandates for Medicare providers

Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), on Novermber 4, released regulations that will require Medicare-participating providers to ensure their staff members are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. CMS says: “Facilities covered by this regulation must establish a policy ensuring all eligible staff have received the first dose…

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By: Judy Mathias
November 4, 2021
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No association of COVID-19 with meeting time-to-surgery benchmarks for orthopedic trauma patients

Editor's Note This study, led by researchers at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, finds that despite the challenges associated with COVID-19, many US hospital systems were able to implement strategies in keeping with time-to-surgery standards for orthopedic trauma patients. Of 3,589 patients from 20 sites in the US and…

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By: Judy Mathias
November 1, 2021
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COVID-19 infection of the inner ear may be responsible for hearing and balance problems

Editor's Note This study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, finds that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can infect cells of the inner ear, including hair cells, which are critical for hearing and balance. A series of 10 COVID-19 patients with audiovestibular symptoms, such as…

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By: Judy Mathias
November 1, 2021
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Association between virtual care and healthcare utilization during COVID-19

Editor's Note This study from the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, finds that the transition to incorporate virtual care into ambulatory healthcare during COVID-19 was not associated with an increased overall number of visits. The researchers identified 10,559,857 ambulatory visits by 1,530,772 patients at their large New…

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By: Judy Mathias
October 28, 2021
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Effect of obesity, age on mild forms of COVID-19

Editor's Note In this study, researchers at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, find that overweight and obese adolescents and adults experienced more respiratory symptoms from COVID-19. Of 552 individuals enrolled in the study, 470 tested positive for COVID-19, including 261 adults (18 years or more old), 61 adolescents…

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By: Judy Mathias
October 27, 2021
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ECRI issues statement on COVID-19 vaccine boosters, global vaccine equity

Editor's Note In an October 26 news release, ECRI announced the publication of a Position Statement on “COVID-19 Vaccines: Mitigating Disease and Promoting Global Health Equity.” Speaking in support of the Statement, Marcus Schabacker, MD, PhD, president and chief executive officer, ECRI, says: “Despite the FDA and CDC’s advancement of…

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By: Judy Mathias
October 27, 2021
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Association of allergy history with allergic reactions in HCWs after COVID-19 vaccinations

Editor's Note This study by researchers at Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, finds that a high-risk allergy history was associated with a 2.5-fold higher risk of allergic reactions after mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations. However, most of the allergy symptoms did not hold up completion…

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By: Judy Mathias
October 26, 2021
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CDC expands eligibility for COVID-19 boosters

Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, on October 21, endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation for a booster of COVID-19 vaccines in certain populations. For individuals who received Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, the following are eligible…

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By: Judy Mathias
October 26, 2021
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