Like many of you, public health professionals are closely watching trends reflected on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard, including week-to-week increases in cases since early April. The 7,200-plus cases reported for the week beginning May 8 represent a small fraction of the 150,000-plus cases reported during the week of Jan. 9, when the Omicron variant was [...]
Do you remember when you got your last COVID-19 vaccination? If it has been more than five months since you completed your primary vaccination series, it’s time for you to get your booster. You may be eligible even sooner depending which vaccine you received. If you are over the age of 50 and received your [...]
If you haven’t received a COVID-19 vaccine yet, now’s the time to join many other of your fellow Arizonans who are doing so right now. No one will criticize you; there is no shame. In fact, you’ll be welcomed with smiles and open arms! You are not alone. The Arizona Department of Health Services reports [...]
Governor Ducey, at the recommendation of ADHS, has terminated the state’s COVID-19 Declaration of Emergency. His announcement makes clear, however, that public health’s response to COVID-19 will continue. Jessica Rigler, our assistant director for public health preparedness, put it this way during a recent ADHS virtual town hall on COVID-19 vaccines for children: “Public health [...]
Following yesterday’s authorization of a second COVID-19 booster dose for ages 50 and older and those with weakened immune systems, new data shows just how much of a difference a booster dose makes. During February, compared to individuals who were fully vaccinated with a booster, unvaccinated people ages 18 and older had: 4.9 times the [...]
Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized a second booster dose for those ages 50 and older. They also authorized a second booster for those 12 and older who have weakened immune systems. Vaccines are extremely effective at protecting against severe COVID-19 outcomes, but evidence suggests [...]
As we offer our first weekly COVID-19 Data Dashboard update, showing a continuing decline in cases and other metrics, I want to call attention to some critically important information in two reports linked atop the dashboard: Booster doses dramatically increase protection against COVID-19, including the Omicron variant. Our twice-monthly report on COVID-19 outcomes by vaccination [...]
ADHS has consistently followed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and today’s updated CDC recommendations on mask use are no exception. The CDC’s mask recommendations now vary according to a community level that considers COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and COVID-19’s impact on the local healthcare system. The COVID-19 [...]
Our latest report on COVID-19 outcomes by vaccination status offers even more evidence that vaccines are saving lives. In November, those who weren’t vaccinated were 31.1 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than the fully vaccinated. They also were 4.9 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19. This is a big change from [...]
Vaccines continue providing robust protection against hospitalization and death from COVID-19. But federal officials have determined that it is time for members of certain groups, including those 65 and older, to get boosters of the Pfizer vaccine if they are at least six months past their second dose. Here are some quick questions and answers [...]
