FDA Limits Emergency Use Authorization for Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently limited the authorized use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine to people age 18 and older for whom other vaccines aren’t appropriate or accessible and those who opt for J&J because they wouldn’t otherwise get vaccinated. This updated authorization also applies to booster doses.
“We recognize that the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine still has a role in the current pandemic response in the United States and across the global community. … [This] action demonstrates the robustness of our safety surveillance systems and our commitment to ensuring that science and data guide our decisions.”
– J&J, in a statement
U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths Hit Record High in 2021
According to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, an estimated 107,622 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2021, a 15% increase from the previous year. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, was involved in the most deaths.
“You won’t see a reversal in the same way you saw the acceleration because these drug distribution networks and addiction become embedded in the community. And it’s not like they turn off overnight.”
Katherine Keyes, associate professor at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
Mental health—your mental and emotional well-being—can change over time due to factors like workload, stress and work-life balance. Observed every May, Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to join together to fight stigma and provide support for people with mental illness and their families.
Mental illnesses are some of the most common health conditions in the United States.
MORE THAN 50% OF THE POPULATION WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS AT SOME POINT.
Remember that you’re not alone. If you have concerns about your mental health, reach out to a doctor or use the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline by calling 800-662-HELP (4357).
CMS Outlines Strategy to Advance Health Equity
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently outlined an action plan to provide Americans with high-quality and affordable health care. This plan will further drive health equity across the Department of Health and Human Services. Health equity refers to everyone having a fair and just opportunity to attain optimal health.
“We can’t achieve our health system goals until everyone can attain the highest level of health. That’s why I am inviting the health care industry to work alongside CMS as we transform the way patients are cared for in our country. Health equity will be embedded within the DNA of CMS and serve as the lens through which we view all of our work.”
– CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure
What’s Next? For more information:
U.S. Panel Issues Final Recommendation, Says Most Adults Shouldn’t Take Daily Aspirin to Prevent Heart Attack
On Tuesday, April 26, Recently, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) issued its final recommendation on aspirin as a preventive medication to avoid heart disease, stating that most adults do not need to take aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke. This change to a long-standing recommendation is based on new evidence that the potential harms of lowdose aspirin use for most adults cancel out or outweigh the benefits.
“Daily aspirin use may help prevent heart attacks and strokes in some people, but it can also cause potentially serious harms, such as internal bleeding.”
– Dr. John Wong, Task Force member
What’s Next? For more information:
Fauci Says United States Is “Out of the Pandemic Phase”
On Tuesday, April 26, 2022, the United States was deemed to be “out of the pandemic phase” by Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious-disease expert in the country.
“A pandemic means widespread infection throughout the world. In our country, we’re transitioning into more of a controlled endemicity.”
—Dr. Fauci, in an interview
What’s Next? For more information:
Health Experts Warn COVID-19 Cases May Rise Due to New BA.2 Variant
COVID-19 cases have trended down in the United States since a peak of infections in January 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Now, health experts warn of a potential uptick of infections in the coming months due to the emergence of BA.2—a new variant of Omicron, which was the leading variant causing COVID-19 cases during the coronavirus pandemic’s spike in infections this winter.
“The variant has been in the United States for about the past two months and it has been slowly increasing in proportion compared to BA.1 [Omicron].”
—CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky
For more information:
President Biden Urges Employees to Return to the Office
Recently, President Joe Biden urged employers to bring back workers into the office. During his remarks, Biden noted that with COVID-19 vaccination rates up and hospitalizations down, most Americans can remove their masks, return to work and move forward safely.
“Because of the progress we’ve made in fighting COVID[-19], Americans can not only get back to work but they can [get] going to the office and safely fill our great downtown cities again.” President Joe Biden
For more information:
The Biden Administration Announces New Actions to Address Pay Equity
On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, the Biden administration announced steps to advance pay equity and promote women’s economic security.
According to a White House fact sheet, the administration announced that it is taking actions to:
- Advance pay equity for the federal workforce.
- Promote efforts to achieve pay equity for job applicants and employees of federal contractors.
- Strengthen pay equity audits by federal contractors.
- Ensure equitable access to well-paying jobs.
- Address discrimination against caregivers.
For more information:
News Brief – CDC Recommends Shorter COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine
On Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reduced its recommended periods for COVID-19 isolation (confirmed COVID-19 infection) and quarantine (potential COVID-19 exposure).
Asymptomatic individuals infected with COVID-19 have been told to isolate for five days from the day they test positive—down from the original 10. After, they should wear a mask when around others for an additional five days.
The CDC’s new quarantine guidance was similarly updated. People who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second vaccine dose (or more than two months after getting the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) and not yet boosted should avoid others for five days after COVID-19 exposure. Then, they should diligently wear a mask for an additional five days afterward.
“Prevention is our best option: get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial and high community transmission, and take a test before you gather.” -CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, in a statement
For more information:
Client and Employee Resources
The more your employees understand your benefit plans the more they become educated, empowered consumers. The programs you provide will also gain an enhanced value.
As your strategic partners in employee benefits, we can provide multiple avenues of ongoing support, including:
- Employee Meetings (English and Spanish)
- Webcasts
- Payroll Stuffers
- Poster Campaigns
- Newsletters
Carrier Directories
E-Verify is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. Click the image below to begin.
