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COVID-19 Update: Federal Mandate Blocked, Vaccine Updates and More

The Supreme Court has blocked the Biden Administration's nationwide vaccine and testing mandate for large private employers. In addition, the CDC recommends that people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get three primary doses (instead of two) followed by a booster shot five months later.


The Supreme Court has blocked the Biden Administration's nationwide vaccine and testing mandate for large private employers. The vaccine mandate for healthcare workers whose facilities participate in Medicare and Medicaid remains in effect. 

The CDC recommends that people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get three primary doses (instead of two) followed by a booster shot five months later. The FDA shortened the interval for the booster dose of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine to five months for individuals age 18 years of age and older. Individuals are now eligible to receive a booster for either Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech five months after they complete their primary series.

ISMP issued a warning about possible safety issues with Paxlovid, Pfizer's new oral antiviral medication for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19. A dose reduction is necessary for patients with moderate renal impairment, and patients with severe renal impairment should not receive the drug. Other possible safety issues include drug–drug interactions and patients failing to take both tablets together. To read more on ISMP's note for dispensing pharmacists, click here. All errors with Paxlovid should be reported internally within healthcare organizations as well as to the FDA MedWatch reporting program, which is mandatory for products under an EUA. ISMP also asks providers to report medication errors to ISMP's medication error reporting program.

The Center for Covid Control, an Illinois-based COVID-19 testing company that operates in more than 275 locations in 29 states, is under investigation for alleged fraudulent business practices. The Iowa Department of Inspection and Appeals is currently investigating locations in Iowa.

CMS has released an updated FAQ for getting at-home OTC COVID-19 tests. If purchased at a pharmacy, patients will be reimbursed by their insurance, fully if an in-network pharmacy or up to $12 if out of network.

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