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 [...]
Childhood vaccines protect against not just severe illness but prevent disease outbreaks that can interrupt classroom learning. That’s one reason why ADHS and our partners encourage parents to get their children current on required immunizations as well as COVID-19 vaccination. The pandemic has made it more difficult to stay current on routine medical care. With [...]
I recently had the privilege of joining an AARP Arizona virtual town hall to discuss COVID-19 vaccines and, more importantly, why seniors should update their protection by following booster recommendations. Cases and deaths in Arizona have dropped significantly since the January peak, but COVID-19 is still active and infecting people. A large percentage of seniors [...]
A public service announcement featuring Governor Doug Ducey and Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th U.S. Surgeon General and the governor’s adviser on public health preparedness, is now airing on Arizona television stations in addition to social media and streaming media. I hope you’ll heed their advice to help protect yourself and others from COVID-19: Get vaccinated [...]
If you are among the approximately 321,000 people in Arizona who received the one-shot Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, it’s natural to have questions about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “expressing a clinical preference” for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines over the one you received. The CDC notes that this preference for [...]
Even more Arizonans are eligible for booster doses of safe, free, and highly effective COVID-19 vaccine following today’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announcement recommending boosters for 16- and 17-year-olds. At this time, only the Pfizer booster is recommended for 16- and 17-year-olds, just as Pfizer is the only vaccine authorized for those [...]
I’m glad to see the ADHS data dashboard showing increased demand lately for COVID-19 booster shots and primary vaccinations. Federal officials and ADHS have advised repeatedly that vaccination is the best way to prepare for uncertainties posed by the Omicron variant, not to mention from COVID-19 in general. While there are news reports saying that [...]
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 [...]
The 5,070 COVID-19 cases added today to the ADHS dashboard don’t have an asterisk. COVID-19 cases are rising. We can’t say exactly why this increase is happening even before the holiday season, though cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to be largely among unvaccinated people. But we all know how to flatten the curve. That’s why [...]
