Booster targeting latest variants are especially important for older Arizonans
Even with COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths declining in recent weeks, it's an inescapable fact that older individuals remain at greatest risk of severe outcomes should they be infected with the current Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. In the past six months, 81% of Arizona's COVID-19 deaths have been among those 65 and older, while another 16% have been among [...]
Maricopa County report of 3 measles cases puts focus on vaccination benefits
Today's report of three measles cases in Maricopa County is a sobering reminder that this rare and highly contagious disease can flare among those who aren't vaccinated. Before the U.S. introduced a vaccination program, measles was a common illness in infants, children, and young adults. It can be severe: Approximately two out of 1,000 people with measles die and one [...]
Do you have a high risk of severe influenza complications?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has always been clear on who should get a seasonal influenza vaccine when it becomes available each year: everyone 6 months and older. For some people, though, the risk of having severe complications is higher than it is for the rest of the population, the CDC reminded everyone last week. If you [...]
Health Start program wins approval for community health worker training curriculum
Health Start, an ADHS program that educates pregnant and postpartum women about the benefits of prenatal care and childhood immunizations, will now be able to help even more Arizona babies get a healthier start. A curriculum developed by the ADHS Health Start team has been approved for use in training community health workers, who will use that training to educate [...]
Novavax: A new option for first doses of COVID-19 vaccine
I hope you are among the millions of Arizonans benefiting from the safe and highly effective protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines. With COVID-19 still active in our state, these vaccines and booster doses have been doing a very good job of reducing the chances of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. And on top of that, a Pfizer booster that targets [...]
Reducing licensing fees helps support quality child care availability
Federal grant dollars will reduce some licensing fees for child care centers to just $1 through June 30, 2024, temporary relief intended to help support the availability of quality child care for Arizona families. The lower fees cover anniversary payments, increasing the capacity, and new applications. Through additional federal funds provided to states — of which Arizona received $1.3 billion [...]