Weekly Rounds with Infection Control Today: Masking Guidelines, VA’s Bold Move, Booster Shots

Here are 5 highlights from ICT®’s wide-ranging coverage of the infection prevention and control world. Everything from interviews with known opinion leaders, to the news that infection preventionists and other health care professionals can use on their jobs.

CDC Tightens Masking Rules for Fully Vaccinated in COVID-19 Hot Spots

New CDC guidelines say that vaccinated individuals should begin wearing masks again when indoors in public settings in parts of the US with substantial to high transmission.

VA Mandates That Health Care Providers be Vaccinated

In making the announcement, the VA noted that 4 of its employees have died in recent weeks, all of whom were unvaccinated. And 3 died as a direct result of the Delta variant.

Israel to Offer COVID-19 Booster Shots to Older Citizens

Israeli announced that it will begin offering a booster shot to its older citizens to try to stop the spread of the Delta variant. It is the first country in the world to make this move.

FDA Approval Helps Immunocompromised Shingles Sufferers

Shingrix was originally approved by the FDA in 2017 for the prevention of shingles in adults 50 years and older. Now, it’s approved for those 18 years and older who are immunocompromised.

Everybody Needs to be Vaccinated and Wear a Mask

Kevin Kavanagh, MD: “I am convinced this virus is about one or two iterations away from completely avoiding the vaccine. And remember, we have the lambda variant and the kappa variant which are sitting out there in the wings, waiting for immunity to drop and possibly cause another wave.”