Argentum COVID-19 Announcements

The CDC updated its mask guidance today for people who are fully vaccinated in the general public. Guidance for healthcare professionals remains unchanged at this time. The CDC now recommends wearing a mask indoors in any of these conditions:

Visitation is essential to the health and well-being of senior living residents. Argentum's latest guidance, "Model Visitation Protocols For Vaccinated Senior Living Communities," provides protocols, considerations, and general practices designed specifically for visitation in the variety of spaces and circumstances in senior living communities. This guidance was compiled by clinical experts, risk managers, and other stakeholders who have in-depth knowledge of senior living. 

Today, the CDC has released the first set of public health recommendations for those who are fully vaccinated. This guidance will be updated and expanded as more information becomes available.

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.