Hospital Infection Control & Prevention – December 1, 2020
December 1, 2020
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CDC Offers Healthcare Workers Online Infection Control Training
In an initiative that should complement the efforts of infection preventionists, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has launched on online interactive training network on infection control aimed at both frontline healthcare workers and other personnel.
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Healthcare Workers Await the First SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine
With the first vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 on the horizon and targeted for healthcare workers, there are safety concerns and trust issues that threaten to undermine immunization. However, all new vaccines are followed closely for adverse effects, and the oversight of COVID-19 immunization will include multiple systems of passive and active surveillance.
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SARS-CoV-2 Mutates in Minks
Minks farmed for their fur are acquiring SARS-CoV-2 from humans and transmitting it back, a classic scenario for possible genetic mutation that could create a mismatch with vaccines under development, the World Health Organization reports.
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COVID-19 Hospitalizations and Deaths in Healthcare Workers
Analysis of COVID-19 hospitalization data from 13 sites indicated that 6% of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 were healthcare personnel, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Moreover, 4% of healthcare workers died with COVID-19 during hospitalization.
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Beyond Healthcare Workers, COVID-19 Immunization is Ethically Complex
There is optimism about the coming availability of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. However, supplies are likely to be limited, at least initially. Thus, various groups have suggested prioritization schemes to allocate limited vaccine supplies.