Category Archives: Public News

CDC Health Alert: Cases of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia after Receipt of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine 

From the CDC: As of April 12, 2021, approximately 6.85 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine (Janssen) have been administered in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are reviewing data involving six U.S. cases of a rare type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the J&J COVID-19 vaccine that were reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS).

In these cases, a type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) was seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). All six cases occurred among women aged 18–48 years. The interval from vaccine receipt to symptom onset ranged from 6–13 days.

When these specific type of blood clots are observed following J&J COVID-19 vaccination, treatment is different from the treatment that might typically be administered for blood clots. Usually, the anticoagulant drug called heparin is used to treat blood clots. In this setting, the use of heparin may be harmful, and alternative treatments need to be given.

CDC convened an emergency meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, to further review these cases and assess potential implications on vaccine policy. The FDA will review that analysis as it also investigates these cases. Until that process is complete, CDC and FDA are recommending a pause in the use of the J&J COVID-19 vaccine out of an abundance of caution.

The purpose of this Health Alert is, in part, to ensure that the healthcare provider community is aware of the potential for these adverse events and can provide proper management due to the unique treatment required with this type of blood clot.

View the CDC Health Alert.

Press Release: Congress Fails Seniors and Caregivers in COVID Relief Package

In a press release from Thursday, March 4, 2021, Argentum said, "Seniors and their caregivers will be left behind in a $1.9 trillion rescue package that Congress is expected to pass this weekend." James Balda, Argentum President and CEO, went on to say, "“Relief funding for long-term care remains noticeably and alarmingly absent from the legislation’s provisions. It’s nonsensical that the providers serving the most vulnerable population during this pandemic have been left without meaningful support in this latest package.”

This exclusion from the most recent COVID Relief Package makes it more important than ever for senior living providers to receive funds promised via the CARES Act. Unfortunately, only a fraction of the amount promised to senior living communities has actually been delivered.

“The administration needs to step up and ensure this funding is distributed before communities have to start closing their doors,” said Balda. “If communities close, seniors will lose their homes, caregivers will lose jobs, and the financial burden on Medicaid will rise steeply.”

Click Here to read the press release in full.

Argentum continues to lead efforts on Capitol Hill to include relief funding specifically targeted at senior living operators. Argentum has been working with Senator Susan Collins to advance an amendment that would include substantially more funding to the Provider Relief Fund with a specific reference to assisted living providers, enabling them to access this fund. This amendment is a result of longstanding advocacy efforts with Senator Collins and many other lawmakers in educating them on our needs.

Argentum will continue to inform KSLA on the progress of the legislation and its efforts once the amendment is released. Regardless of if the amendment by Senator Collins is adopted, Argentum is confident that our message is getting through to lawmakers, and has identified several champions in Congress to push our message to the Biden administration on the need for targeted relief.

COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Increasing to 13.5 Million Doses per Week

According to an article in the New York Times, the White House says the COVID-19 vaccine supply is going up to 13.5 million doses a week thanks to a new federal pharmacy program. And, President Biden said that every American who wanted a COVID-19 vaccine would have one by the end of July, as a sufficient supply would be available by then. Click Here to read the article.

KSLA Friend, Argentum Board Chair and Veteran Senior Living CEO Pat Mulloy Named to Board of Directors at Sharps Compliance

Sharps Compliance Corp. (NASDAQ: SMED), a leading full-service national provider of comprehensive waste management solutions including medical, pharmaceutical, and hazardous, has appointed William Patrick (“Pat”) Mulloy II to its board of directors. Mulloy has more than 20 years of experience in the senior housing and long-term care industry, having led three successful senior housing companies. Most recently he served as CEO of Elmcroft Senior Living, a provider of assisted and independent living, as well as memory and respite care, with over 80 communities in 18 states, which he led from its founding in 2006 through early 2018. Click Here to Read More.