health and safety advisory board
What You Need to Know... (as of December 15, 2022)
These are the most recent Infection Control updates (12/9/22) from CDC, presented by Dr. A. Jha, Whitehouse Covid-19 response coordinator. The key message is the durable protection from vaccination against Covid-19 and Influenza. The current Flu vaccine is well-matched against the circulating seasonal flu virus strain. Bivalent boosters offers strong protection against Omicron, adults 65+ are 43% less likely to get symptomatic infection Flu vaccine reduces the risk of getting serious symptoms and hospitalizations by 40-60%
These are the most recent Infection Control updates (12/9/22) from CDC, presented by Dr. A. Jha, Whitehouse Covid-19 response coordinator. The key message is the durable protection from vaccination against Covid-19 and Influenza. The current Flu vaccine is well-matched against the circulating seasonal flu virus strain. Bivalent boosters offers strong protection against Omicron, adults 65+ are 43% less likely to get symptomatic infection Flu vaccine reduces the risk of getting serious symptoms and hospitalizations by 40-60%
Five Simple Steps to Reduce Respiratory Viral Infections:
- Get your flu shot and bivalent vaccine
- Start antiviral treatment as soon as symptoms develop
- Stay home if you are sick
- Follow CDC guidance on infection control for respiratory viruses
- Maintain airflow in your building
Bivalent Vaccine
- On September 2, FDA/CDC approved a new “bivalent” COVID-19 booster
- The “bivalent” vaccine allows the body to fight off the symptoms Omicron strains of COVID-19 more effectively•This changes the definition of “up to date.” Individuals are up to date if they meet ONE the following criteria:
- Received a bivalent booster dose OR
- Received their last booster dose less than 2 months ago, or
- Completed their primary series less than 2 months ago
- Received a bivalent booster dose OR
- This definition is the same regardless of immunocompromised status
Effectiveness of the Bivalent Vaccine
- CDC real-world studyon the bivalent vaccine against Omicron shows protection against symptomatic infection compared to fully vaccinated:
- Adults 18-49 are 56% less likely to get symptomatic infection
- Adults 50-64 are 48% less likely to get symptomaticinfection
- Adults 65+ are 43% less likely to get symptomaticinfection
- Adults 18-49 are 56% less likely to get symptomatic infection
Influenza Vaccine
- Influenza has a significant impact on the LTC population
- Flu vaccination is especially important for the LTC population
- Flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu getting serious symptoms or hospitalizations by 40%-60%
- While some people who get a flu vaccine still get sick, vaccination can make their illness less severe
- Recent studies among hospitalized flu patients showed that flu vaccination reduced ICU admissions and duration of hospitalization
- Recent studies among hospitalized flu patients showed that flu vaccination reduced ICU admissions and duration of hospitalization
What You Need to Know... (as of November 2022)
Click below to know the latest status of covid cases in the communities. You can search by county and be given clear direction on infection control.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fscience%2Fcommunity-levels.html
Please note: we finally are seeing significant de-escalations in infection prevention and control from CDC, considering the hospitalizations and deaths across the nation have been low.
Click below to know the latest status of covid cases in the communities. You can search by county and be given clear direction on infection control.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fscience%2Fcommunity-levels.html
Please note: we finally are seeing significant de-escalations in infection prevention and control from CDC, considering the hospitalizations and deaths across the nation have been low.
“CDC signs off on new COVID-19 boosters”
(Update as of November 2022)
CDC and FDA approved the new bivalent booster shots. The new booster vaccines (administered as a single shot) from Pfizer and Moderna have been updated to specifically target two different COVID strains - the current omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, which make up 99% of new cases circulating in the U.S., as well as the original strain of COVID-19. The new boosters have much higher, broader, and more durable protection against Covid-19 from a possible surge of infection in the coming fall and winter months. It is expected to be released shortly after Labor Day.
CDC and FDA approved the new bivalent booster shots. The new booster vaccines (administered as a single shot) from Pfizer and Moderna have been updated to specifically target two different COVID strains - the current omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, which make up 99% of new cases circulating in the U.S., as well as the original strain of COVID-19. The new boosters have much higher, broader, and more durable protection against Covid-19 from a possible surge of infection in the coming fall and winter months. It is expected to be released shortly after Labor Day.
- Pfizer – 12 years old and up
- Moderna- 18 years old and up
- Must have received the “primary series” and can be given regardless of the number of booster doses (old version) received
- At least 2 months from the last primary series or booster doses received
- Can be safely given, co-administered with the Influenza vaccine
- Plan accordingly to obtain the new booster shot soon after its release and when the above criteria is met
- Contact your doctor should you have specific questions about your health status
- This is made available and covered through the federal program
- Seniors and those who are high-risk or immune compromised will be prioritized
- Individuals with a prior COVID-19 infection should wait three months from symptom onset or a positive test (if asymptomatic) before receiving the bivalent booster.