Covid-19 (English)

SACRAMENTO – Today, California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary, Dr. Mark Ghaly, and Director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and State Public Health Officer, Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, issued a joint statement supporting the recommendation by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and …

On May 19, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published updated COVID-19 vaccination guidance related to booster doses. COVID-19 booster eligibility has been expanded to include everyone ages 5 and older who has received a primary Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series at least five months ago. Additionally, the CDC has strengthened the March 2022 recommendation advising older adults and …

Several types of proof of COVID-19 vaccination are accepted in Washington State.   First is the vaccination card, which is specific to the COVID-19 vaccine and given to a patient when they receive their first dose. This is different than a vaccine record, which is a more comprehensive record of all immunizations a person has received.   A vaccine card is filled …

Mike Kreidler, Washington State’s Insurance Commissioner, has extended two emergency orders related to COVID-19 testing. The first order states that health insurers must waive copays and deductibles for any individual requiring COVID-19 testing. The second order protects those who require testing from any unexpected bills related to lab fees associated with COVID-19 diagnostic testing. Both orders have been extended to May 28.  According to …

Parents share reasons for giving kids the COVID-19 vaccine By Elliot T. Sumi, MD Pediatrician Across the Golden State, parents are speaking with their pediatricians about getting young children vaccinated against COVID-19. In my examination rooms, parents often have questions about vaccine safety and I’m happy to share how the COVID-19 vaccines were developed and tested, so they can understand …

According to experts at Johns Hopkins Medicine, no evidence has been found to suggest COVID-19 vaccine affects fertility. In a Boston University study of 2,000 couples examining the effects of COVID-19 on fertility, scientists found that the vaccine has no impact on the ability to conceive. Additionally, scientists found no difference in the likelihood of conception between couples in which either partner …

Fun!” COVID-19 Vaccine Sweepstakes MCDPH supported by Kaiser Permanente announces the “Your Shot at Fun!” vaccine incentive program. The incentives aim to give an extra nudge to those who still need to get vaccinated against COVID-19, especially families in hard-to-reach communities, while also thanking everyone who has already been vaccinated. Family-focused prizes include a Disneyland family vacation, Six Flags annual …

Dr. Jay Yeh, Medical Director, Pediatric Echocardiography Laboratory, UC Davis Health Whether or not kids should wear masks in school remains a heated topic with strong opinions on both sides. Adding to this conversation is the state’s latest masking guidance, which went into effect on March 12. Schools are no longer required to enforce a mask mandate and instead are …

By We Can Do This COVID-19 Public Education Campaign Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, myths and misperceptions about COVID and vaccines continue to arise and evolve on social media, online, and in daily conversations. Getting facts from a reliable source can keep myths from complicating decisions about getting vaccinated and boosted or following other prevention measures. As of March …