The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fully approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, marking a new milestone in Operation Warp Speed’s successful drive to bring a safe and effective vaccine to market in record-setting time.
The FDA announced the extension of bamlanivimab’s shelf life to 18 months. The fact sheet for health care providers discussing the emergency use authorization of Lilly COVID-19 treatments can be found here.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released a document outlining tips and tools to help first responders cope with stress and compassion fatigue.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will now require all Medicare and Medicaid nursing home staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
CMSannounced that eligible immunocompromised individuals may receive a third COVID-19 dose at no cost.
The Centers for Disease Control and Preventionannounced the creation of the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics to advance forecasting and outbreak analytics in public health decision making.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program will extend their federal reimbursements for safe operation of nonprofits responding to COVID-19, such as private nonprofit medical facilities.
North Texas Update:
HB 2211, requiring hospitals to allow one visitor per patient during a public health emergency, will take effect September 1, 2021.
Governor Abbottannounced an expansion of medical personnel deployed to combat COVID-19 in Texas.
Governor Abbott also announced additional federal COVID-19 relief assistance payments through the American Rescue Plan Act for small cities and towns with populations under 50,000.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management will launch two new COVID-19 antibody infusion centers in Beaumont and Odessa.
Until next time, this is your doctor's note.
Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
