The College's COVID-19 NewsBrief provides you with timely curated information on the pandemic along with helpful resources you can use in your practice and with your patients.
HHS announced it will distribute an additional $2 billion in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 payments this week. Payments will be based on lost revenues and increased expenses due to COVID-19 and will be made to physicians who previously applied for relief funds.
Medical groups who received PRF payments exceeding $10,000 in the aggregate from July 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020 have until March 31, 2022 to report on the use of those funds.
FDA expands use of remdesivir
The FDA expanded the use of the antiviral drug Veklury (remdesivir) for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 for some adults and children in nonhospital settings, such as skilled nursing and outpatient facilities as well as home health care settings.
FDA limits use of some monoclonal antibodies
The FDA revised its authorizations for two monoclonal antibody treatments because they have been found to be ineffective against the Omicron variant.
U.S. Government: Free COVID tests and masks
In addition to a website where people can order free COVID tests from the U.S. government (up to four per household), there is now a phone number to order – 1-800-232-0233.
The U.S. government plans to make 400 million N95 masks available at no charge to Americans. These masks have been shown to filter up to 95% of airborne particles. Many major pharmacy chains expect to have the masks in stock this week.
Pfizer/BioNTech launches Omicron vaccine trial
Pfizer/BioNTech announced it has formally launched a clinical trial for a vaccine against the Omicron variant. The trial will study the immune response in adults as a three-shot regimen for unvaccinated people, as a booster for those who have received three doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and as a fourth dose for those who received the third shot.
Stay updated with the College’s COVID-19 resource page
Find updated ACAAI COVID-19 vaccine Frequently Asked Questions for patients (also in Spanish) on the College’s COVID-19 resource page. Get the latest information from the CDC and the FDA, as well as the clinical, coding, telemedicine, practice management and patient resources you need. What’s happening at the federal level? Find important updates on the College’s federal response page.
