COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ending: Change in national status comes with updated guidelines for vaccinations

Based on current COVID-19 trends, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is ending the public health emergency declared for COVID-19. The declaration officially expires at the end of the day Thursday, May 11.

According to HHS, since the peak of the Omicron surge at the end of January 2022:

• Daily COVID-19 reported cases are down 92%,
• COVID-19 deaths have declined by over 80%, and
• New COVID-19 hospitalizations are down nearly 80%.

“Access to COVID-19 vaccinations and antiviral treatments such as Paxlovid will generally not be affected by the ending of the public health emergency,” says Dr. Joshua Meyerson, Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) Medical Director. “With better immunity from vaccinations and previous infection and the availability of effective medications for those at increased risk for severe disease, we are in a much better place than we were three years ago.”

Do You Need a Booster?

Regardless of past vaccination status with the monovalent/original mRNA vaccine, everyone who hasn’t yet can receive a single Omicron booster, which is also called the Bivalent vaccine. This can provide additional protection against circulating strains.

The newer Bivalent booster rolled out last fall and contains components from the original virus strain as well as the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants. It is now the standard for COVID-19 boosters and can be given as a primary first dose too.

Here are the current simplified guidelines:

• Everyone 6 years of age and older should get one Bivalent Covid-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) to be considered up to date.
• People aged 65 years and older may get a second updated booster (at least 4 months after they had their first).
• For those under 65, only people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may also get a second Bivalent booster dose (2 months after their first dose). Those with other underlying medical conditions only need a single Bivalent dose to be up to date.
• Children 6 months through 5 years of age may receive one or more doses of the updated vaccine depending on the number of doses they previously received.

“For many of us, it has been a significant period of time since a previous dose of COVID-19 vaccine,” Meyerson says. “The availability of the Bivalent vaccine offers an excellent opportunity to reduce our risk of infection, illness, and transmission of the virus to those around us.”

To schedule a booster, call our local staff at (800) 432-4121.

Although COVID hasn’t gone away, our community is in a stronger place today because we have the tools to protect one another, especially safe and effective vaccines.

The COVID vaccines continue to work very well at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

Now, updated COVID vaccines are here for people 6 months or older to help protect against Omicron.

• Get your updated vaccine now if you’re vaccinated and your last dose was before September 2022 (October 2022 for kids 6 months – 11 years).
• Otherwise, wait until 2 months after you complete your primary vaccination series to get your updated vaccine dose. Completing your primary vaccination series means you got your first 2 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax vaccine, or your 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
• If you recently had COVID, you should wait 3 months from when you got sick to get your updated vaccine.
• Children 6 months – 4 years who got all 3 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech primary vaccination series don’t need an updated vaccine at this time.

Where to find COVID-19 vaccines

You have 3 ways to find free vaccines near you:

• Go to vaccines.gov
• Text your ZIP code to 438829
• Call 1-800-232-0233

Remember to bring your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record card when you go for your updated vaccine.

For more information

Visit cdc.gov/coronavirus or talk to a health care provider.

Pfizer authorized for 5 and older; Moderna for 6 and older

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine – also known as the Omicron Booster – for children as young as five years old. The single-dose booster may be given at least two months after children and adults complete the primary or other booster vaccinations.

The Omicron Booster has replaced the original COVID-19 booster formulas. Similar to how flu shots are updated annually, the booster contains components from the original virus strain as well as the BA.4 and BA.5 variants. Previously approved for anyone 12 years and older, the younger age group was added Friday through the FDA amending emergency use authorizations for Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech.

The Omicron Booster includes components from the original virus strain and the BA.4 and BA.5 variants to provide better protection against COVID-19, according to the FDA. By including specific genetic material, the vaccine instructs cells in the body to make the distinctive “spike” protein of the original virus strain and the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants.

“Because of the medical advances, we are far from the pandemic state we faced in 2020 and 2021. The boosters, which now help children as young as five, are protecting people throughout the region and world,” said Dr. Joshua Meyerson, Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) Medical Director. “Anyone who has completed the primary series is now being offered the bivalent booster. With children back in school and people resuming pre-pandemic activities, it’s wise to remain diligent about protecting yourself and those around you.”

Based on interest, staff at HDNW has added the Omicron Booster to the fall flu clinics. Because both vaccines may be given the same day, many residents are taking advantage of one stop, two vaccines.

The agency’s central intake staff is answering calls and scheduling appointments. To keep up with demand, HDNW has expanded the number of onsite clinics in all four counties. In response to invitations to bring teams into businesses, senior living facilities, and schools, HDNW is also staffing community-based clinics to make the vaccines more accessible.

In October and November, there are about 50 flu/Omicron Booster clinics scheduled at HDNW sites. An additional 42 community-based clinics are in play: 12 at schools, 13 at businesses, and 17 at senior-focused facilities.

While Omicron Boosters may be scheduled online, appointments to receive both the flu vaccine and the new booster at the same appointment should be made by calling 800-432-4121. To date, more than 6.8 million Michigan residents, ages 6 months and up, have gotten at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines.

Although COVID hasn’t gone away, our community is in a stronger place today because we have the tools to protect one another, especially safe and effective vaccines.

The COVID vaccines continue to work very well at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

Now, updated COVID vaccines are here for everyone 12 or older to help protect against Omicron.

• It doesn’t matter which COVID vaccine you got (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen) or how many boosters you’ve already gotten.
• Get your updated vaccine 2 months after your last dose.

Where to find COVID-19 vaccines

You have 3 ways to find free vaccines near you:

• Go to vaccines.gov
• Text your ZIP code to 438829
• Call 1-800-232-0233

Remember to bring your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record card when you go for your updated vaccine.

For more information

Visit cdc.gov/coronavirus or talk to a health care provider.

May 3, 2022 – Health Department of Northwest Michigan COVID-19 update

The summer months offer many benefits in northwest Michigan – including a drop in virus transmissions, such as COVID-19. As residents resume small and large gatherings, the Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) is offering a checklist to help plan for safe summer celebrations.

“Just like planning what to pack when traveling or what to carry into a festival or concert, the health department is sharing our at-a-glance checklist for staying safe this summer,” said Dan Thorell, HDNW Interim Health Officer. “In addition to having a great time with friends and family at the event, we want to make sure you’re able to enjoy healthy summer days following the celebrations.”

• Consider the number of COVID-19 cases and vaccinated people in your community or the community you are visiting. Check the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID Data Tracker when making decisions on travel and attending events.
• Review and update your vaccination status to ensure you’re current with the recommended COVID-19 vaccines. HDNW continues to offer free vaccines at its clinics and extends clinic hours as needed to meet public needs.
• While there is no longer a federal order requiring masks while using public transportation, the CDC recommends that people wear masks while using public modes of transportation.
• If you are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines and you opt to travel, get tested before and after the trip.
• Continue to practice thorough hand washing and use of hand sanitizer while traveling and attending group gatherings.
• Avoid group gatherings if you are ill and get tested.

“While deaths and hospitalizations from COVID-19 are currently low in Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Otsego counties, clusters of the BA.2 variant continue to appear in higher populations of people that interact indoors,” said Dr. Joshua Meyerson, HDNW Medical Director. “Don’t hesitate to take advantage of the Test and Treat option that’s helping minimize the personal impacts of the virus.”

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is offering a new tool for Michigan residents and healthcare providers to help locate COVID-19 treatments across the state. Users may search to find locations where oral treatments are available for those who qualify.

Retail chain pharmacies that have oral antivirals in stock include Meijer, Walgreens, Rite-Aid and CVS, in addition to select independent pharmacy locations. It is important to contact your healthcare provider if you test positive, as you must present a prescription from a physician or advanced practice clinician to pick up medication at a pharmacy.

Stay up to date on the latest information in the Health Department of Northwest Michigan jurisdiction by liking and following our Facebook page and visiting our COVID-19 Data Dashboard. To locate a testing facility, visit the Michigan COVID-19 Test Finder website. To track the risk levels of COVID-19 pandemic indicators, visit the MI Safe Start Map website. For more information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the MDHHS vaccine website or the CDC vaccine website.