Today, we’ve launched the first version of a report showing statewide COVID-19 case and death rates by vaccination status. The report demonstrates the significant increases in risk of COVID-19 infection and death among those who are not vaccinated. In October, unvaccinated persons in Arizona had a 3.9 times greater risk of testing positive for COVID-19 [...]
Arizona icon and Senator Barry Goldwater was just 6 months old in July 1909 when the Bureau of Vital Records began keeping track of births and deaths throughout Arizona. Today, the Arizona Department of Health Services’ bureau is one of just three vital records units to be awarded national accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation [...]
If you’re fully vaccinated and age 18 or older, you’re likely due for a booster dose of safe, free, and highly effective COVID-19 vaccine. On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strengthened its recommendation for boosters, saying everyone 18 and older should get them – and sooner rather than later. CDC Director [...]
On Tuesday, Nov. 23, ADHS and medical leaders appealed for Arizonans to do the following to curb the spread of COVID-19: Get vaccinated, and get kids ages 5 and older vaccinated: azhealth.gov/FindVaccine; If you are fully vaccinated and age 18 and older, get a booster: azhealth.gov/FindVaccine; Mask up, physically distance, keep your hands washed, stay [...]
This week, hospital medical leaders and I joined Dr. Richard Carmona, the 17th U.S. Surgeon General and special adviser to Governor Ducey on public health emergency preparedness, to share ways we can work together to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Arizona. Hospitals are stretched thin dealing with seriously ill unvaccinated patients, while attending to [...]
Any death from COVID-19 is one too many. As public health professionals and public servants, we want Arizonans to have the information they need to protect themselves, including the facts on COVID-19’s death toll. One of our core functions at ADHS is providing data and systematic analysis, based on generally accepted standards for accuracy and [...]
After nearly two years, I don’t blame anyone for feeling done with the COVID-19 pandemic. The unfortunate truth, however, is the pandemic isn’t done with us. Recent case numbers bear this out. After coming down steadily after a peak in mid-August, cases statewide have increased from 14,511 in the week of Oct. 10 to 17,299 [...]
Nothing is more precious than our children, so I understand why many parents will have questions about kids and COVID-19 vaccination. That’s why ADHS has enlisted medical and public health experts to answer parents’ questions in a town hall-style video we plan to make available Wednesday, Nov. 17, on our social media channels and through [...]
A common question that has come up as the CDC has granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of the COVID vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 is related to vaccine requirements for school and childcare attendance. Given the interest, I thought it would be timely to provide the details about how and why a vaccine [...]
I’m delighted to see Phoenix New Times honor vaccine distribution at State Farm Stadium as Best Team Effort in its Best of Phoenix 2021 edition. Arizona came together in January 2021, when Governor Doug Ducey and former ADHS Director Dr. Cara Christ worked with the Arizona Cardinals, the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, [...]
