Argentum COVID-19 Announcements

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson. This authorization suggests that the benefits outweigh its risks for use in individuals 18 of age or older and permits the vaccine to be distributed in the U.S., making it the third vaccine available in the country.

“After a thorough analysis of the data, the FDA’s scientists and physicians have determined that the vaccine meets the FDA’s expectations for safety and effectiveness appropriate for the authorization of a vaccine for emergency use,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

The CDC has launched a new COVID-19 Data Tracker module that includes state-specific vaccine administration information for the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care program. The module includes an interactive U.S. map and data, which are updated daily.

As of yesterday, the CDC reported that just under 4.4 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been distributed for use in long-term care facilities. On average, 137,000 doses of vaccine are being distributed for use by this sector each day. Previously, the CDC estimated a total of 3 million people needing vaccines within this sector and as such, they have already distributed 146% of the doses needed for skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and other long-term care settings.

The Vaccination Toolkit for Long-Term Care Facilities is now live on CDC’s website.

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. This EUA permits the vaccine to be distributed in the U.S. for individuals 18 and older.

Today, a U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel voted (20 in favor, one abstention) to recommend the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), citing that the benefits of the vaccine outweighed its risks. It is anticipated that the FDA will issue an EUA for the Moderna vaccine tomorrow. This EUA would clear the way for nearly 6 million more vaccine doses to be shipped as early as this weekend. Learn more.

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, clearing the way for distribution in the United States.

Voting today that “the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine outweigh its risks for use in individuals 16 years of age and older,” the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee pushed emergency use of the vaccine over a major hurdle.

Vaccine administration is one of the most important issues the senior living industry will address this year. Our Vaccine Readiness Briefing webinar will provide insight and information to help senior living leaders prepare and be ready to get this right. Join us Monday, December 14 from 1-2pm ET, and hear...

Yesterday, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which serves in an advisory capacity to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), voted to recommend that residents and staff of long-term care facilities be prioritized in Phase 1a; this includes assisted living communities. ACIP’s final recommendation will go to the director of the CDC for approval before becoming official CDC policy. (Review the full ACIP presentation here.) As a result, we recommend providers take the following actions: