On August 23, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and authorized the 2024-2025 Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. The FDA reported that doses would start shipping immediately. Providers can order vaccines through their usual channels.

While the FDA has not deauthorized 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccines, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Immunization Program released a memo recommending that providers stop using 2023-2024 mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

The 2023-2024 Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine remains authorized but is no longer available in the United States as all doses have expired. There are no recommendations for the use of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine as no approved and authorized product exists at this time.

The CDC’s Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Approved or Authorized in the United States provides an up to date resource on the use of COVID-19 vaccines across the age spectrum. More info...

A resident of Huntington Beach has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) infection, becoming the first human WNV case in Orange County this year. In 2023, Orange County had seven WNV infections, with the first case also reported in late August. As of August 23, 2024, the California Department of Public Health reported 19 human West Nile Virus cases statewide this season.  More info...

Summer is coming to an end and now it’s time to get ready for a new school year. If you haven’t already, make an appointment for a well child visit with your child’s doctor and make sure your child is up to date on all the recommended vaccines, including COVID-19. Set aside some time to talk with your child about the new school year. Let them have a chance to talk about their feelings and see what they look forward to this school year. It may put their mind at ease to talk about what they are worried about so you can reassure them that being nervous is normal. You might even have some funny stories to share from when you were in school!  

Make a Back-to-School Checklist  (for more details, see Checklist for the First Day of School - HealthyChildren.org English | Spanish) 

• Get a monthly calendar, mark important dates, and post it on your fridge so that everyone can stay organized.  
• Make an appointment with your child’s doctor for their check-up and vaccinations.  If your child does not have health insurance or you cannot afford immunizations, the OC Health Care Agency provides free immunizations for infants and children ages 2 months to 18 years at our clinic in Santa Ana. Visit:
  • OC Health Care Agency: Immunization Clinic (Free and Low-cost Shots/ Vaccines) English | Spanish | Vietnamese
    • To learn more about all the vaccines your child will need to start school or child care:
      • Shots Required for TK-12 in California English | Spanish
      • Shots for Child Care/Preschool English | Spanish   
• Check-in with the school/school nurse for medical needs, health forms, and to turn in your vaccination records. 
• Make sure your emergency contact forms are up to date and you know the school’s emergency procedures.  Does your child know how to contact you? 
• Plan how your child will be going to and from school safely.  See Walking and Biking to School: Keeping Kids Safe English | Spanish. 
• Find out if your child needs to bring snacks or lunch to school or what the food options are at school.  Many children qualify for free or reduced price food at school; this may also include breakfast.  Ask your school if you qualify and about any forms you may need to fill out to apply. 
• Find out if your child needs to bring supplies to school each day and make sure they have something comfortable to carry the supplies in. 
• If you can, take your child to visit a new school or classroom before the first day of school.  Some schools have orientations or tours.  You could also consider taking your child to the school to see the playground before the first day of school. 
• A week or two before school begins, start adjusting their bedtime earlier to help them ease into school time routines.  Find a nighttime routine - kids need consistency and time to unwind from their busy day. Turn off all screens (TVs, computers, laptops, tablets, phones, video games) at least 1 hour before bedtime.  Create a Family Media Use Plan and include bedtime boundaries.  The nighttime routine may also involve taking a bath/shower, reading a bedtime story, and brushing teeth. 

The Night Before The First Day of School 

• Make a healthy lunch the night before; make sure to add a protein and a fruit or vegetable.  See Back to School Food Safety Tips when preparing lunches for your child. 
• Lay out school clothes the night before. Let your child pick out their own clothes to make the first day of school a little more special. 
• Most importantly - Have the kids go to bed on time! The American Academy of Sleep Medicine¹ recommends that children 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9 to 12 hours in a 24 hour period. Not enough sleep can lead to poor behavior, learning difficulties, and other health problems.  
• Set an alarm to help your child get up in the morning. 

On The First Day of School 

Make sure your kids:

• Eat a healthy breakfast.  Children who eat a nutritious breakfast do better in school, have better concentration and more energy.  Some schools provide breakfast for the children through the free and reduced price lunch program, but if not, make sure the breakfast contains some protein. Sugary cereal can cause a mid-morning slump.  
• Brush their teeth.
• Grab their backpack and don’t forget their water bottle! 

With your checklist complete, plenty of sleep and some preparation the night, your morning should be a lot easier.  Let’s get the school year started!  

 References  

¹American Academy of Sleep Medicine  English  

²HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Back-to-School Tips for Families: English | Spanish 

³HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Checklist for the First Day of School: English | Spanish 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children between the age of 3 to 5 years be physically active throughout the day for growth and development. Children and teenagers 6 to 17 years old need to be active with moderate to vigorous physical activity at least 60 minutes every day. Increased physical activity can have many benefits to everyone’s overall health and wellness.

Benefits of Physical Activity for Children

• Improves attention and memory.
• Builds strong muscles and endurance.
• Strengthens bones.
• Helps maintain normal blood sugar levels.

¹*from CDC’s Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Children English

You and your child can have fun while being physically active. The American Academy of Pediatrics highlights that outdoor play gives your child sensory rich experiences and the physical activity they need for their developing minds and bodies.

Here are a few fun ideas to boost your child’s physical activity:

• Bike or walk with the family
• Plan a picnic
• Play ball or frisbee
• Explore Orange County beaches, parks, and trails
  • OC Parks: Your Backyard Adventure

For more outdoor play ideas:

HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Playing Outside: Why It’s Important for Kids English | Spanish

HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Young Children Learn a Lot When They Play English | Spanish

What if my child has a disability?
 

Talk to your child’s doctor about physical activity and what options there are to help your child stay active.
 

For more information on physical activity for children and teens with disabilities see:

HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Physical Activity for Children and Teens with Disabilities: AAP Policy Explained English | Spanish 

It’s summertime! Enjoy your time outside, but don’t forget to take precautions to keep yourself and your family safe in the sun and heat. 

For tips about preventing heat-related illness, preventing child deaths from hot cars, and protecting children from window falls, see Staying Safe During the Summer Heat.  A new edition to that blog this year is a resource specifically for pregnant women: Safe Pregnancies in Extreme Heat. 

Protecting your skin from sun 

Too much sun can cause skin damage and skin cancer. It is important to keep our skin healthy and protect it from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays in any weather, not just in summer. 

Stay in the shade 

• When outside, find shade under a tree, an umbrella, or the stroller canopy. This is especially important for babies younger than 6 months. 

Wear sun-protective clothing, a hat, and sunglasses 

• Sun-protective clothing like lightweight long-sleeved shirts and pants or skirts can provide protection from the sun’s UV rays.  If not practical, at least try to wear a T-shirt or a beach cover-up, preferably of tightly woven fabric. Hats should have brims all the way around to shade the face, ears, and back of the neck, and should be made of a tightly woven fabrics. Sunglasses should block both UVA and UVB rays for the best protection. 

Use sunscreen 

Picking A Sunscreen
There are many sunscreens on the market. Sunscreens are assigned a sun protection factor (SPF) that rates how well they filter out UV rays. Higher numbers indicate more protection. The American Academy of Dermatology1 has shared the 3 essentials to look for in a sunscreen. 

• SPF 30 (or higher) 
• Broad-spectrum protection (UVA/UVB) 
• Water resistance  

A sunscreen that offers these 3 essentials can reduce the risk of: 

• Skin cancer 
• Sunburn 
• Melasma

If possible, avoid sunscreens with the ingredient oxybenzone in children because of concerns about mild hormonal properties. For areas of the body particularly prone to sunburn, such as the nose, cheeks, tops of the ears, and shoulders, choose a sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Applying Sunscreen
Here are some quick tips: 

• Apply sunscreen at least 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. 
• Make sure to use enough sunscreen to cover all exposed areas, including the face, ears, hands, back of knees, and feet.  Help is needed for hard-to-reach places like the back. 
• Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, and especially after swimming or sweating.  
• Check the sunscreen’s expiration date. Sunscreen without an expiration date is good for no more than 3 years, less if it has been exposed to high temperatures. 
• Use sunscreen on cloudy days too, not just for sunny days. 

Recommendations for babies
The American Academy of Pediatrics² has the following recommendations for using sunscreen on babies: 

• For babies younger than 6 months: Use sunscreen on small areas of the body, such as the face, if protective clothing and shade are not available. 
• For babies older than 6 months: Apply sunscreen to all areas of the body, but be careful around the eyes. If your baby rubs sunscreen into their eyes, wipe their eyes and hands clean with a damp cloth. If the sunscreen irritates their skin, try a different brand or sunscreen with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. If your baby develops a rash, talk with their doctor. 

Sunscreen and Insect Repellent
If you are outdoors in areas that may have mosquitoes, you should also protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites. Mosquitoes can spread germs through their bites that can cause illness. When you need to use both sunscreen and bug spray, apply sunscreen first and allow the sunscreen to absorb before applying bug spray.  Follow product label instructions on how often to reapply the insect repellent and sunscreen.  For more information, see Preventing Mosquito Bites: English | Spanish

Limit time in the sun during the peak hours 

• Plan activities for early morning, late afternoon, and evening to avoid being out when the sun rays are strongest (10 am – 4 pm) 

References

1 American Academy of Dermatology English
2 American Academy of Pediatrics English | Spanish  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify clinicians and public health authorities of an increase in Oropouche virus disease in the Americas region, originating from endemic areas in the Amazon basin and new areas in South America and the Caribbean. Between January 1 and August 1, 2024, more than 8,000 cases of Oropouche virus disease were reported, including two deaths and five cases of vertical transmission associated with fetal death or congenital abnormalities. Countries reporting cases include Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Cuba. In the United States and Europe in 2024, travel-associated cases have been identified in travelers returning from Cuba and Brazil. As testing and surveillance for Oropouche virus disease increase in the Americas, reports of cases from additional countries are expected. This Health Advisory advises on evaluating and testing travelers who have been in impacted areas with signs and symptoms consistent with Oropouche virus infection. It also raises awareness of the possible risk of vertical transmission (e.g., from gestational parent to fetus during pregnancy) and associated adverse effects on pregnancy and highlights prevention measures to mitigate additional spread of the virus and potential importation into unaffected areas, including the United States.

Please see the full CDC Health Advisory here: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2024/han00515.asp

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify healthcare providers, public health authorities, and the public about current increases in human parvovirus B19 activity in the United States. Parvovirus B19 is a seasonal respiratory virus that is transmitted through respiratory droplets by people with symptomatic or asymptomatic infection. In the first quarter of 2024, public health authorities in 14 European countries observed unusually high numbers of cases of parvovirus B19. In the United States, there is no routine surveillance for parvovirus B19, and it is not a notifiable condition. Recently, CDC has received reports indicating increased parvovirus B19 activity in the United States. Data include increased test positivity for parvovirus B19 in clinical specimens and pooled plasma from a large commercial laboratory, and reports of clusters of parvovirus B19-associated complications among pregnant people and people with sickle cell disease. The proportion of people with IgM antibodies, an indicator of recent infection, increased among all ages from < 3% during 2022–2024 to 10% in June 2024; the greatest increase was observed among children aged 5–9 years, from 15% during 2022–2024 to 40% in June 2024. Among plasma donors, the prevalence of pooled samples with parvovirus B19 DNA >104 IU/mL increased from 1.5% in December 2023 to 19.9% in June 2024.

Please see the full CDC Health Advisory here: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2024/han00514.asp

A case of measles has been confirmed in an adult who traveled to Orange County. The person began having symptoms prior to arrival. Potential exposures may have occurred at several locations in Anaheim:

• July 26 – Denny’s Restaurant (1168 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802) from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• July 27 – CVS Pharmacy (1803 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92802) from 12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• July 27 – Walmart (1120 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805) from 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. 
• July 28 – Anaheim Global Medical Center Emergency Department (1025 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805) from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• July 28 – CVS Pharmacy (1676 W Katella Ave, Anaheim CA 92802) from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Measles is an acute viral illness typically presenting with fever, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis, followed 3-5 days later by a rash. The maculopapular rash typically begins on the face and spreads down the torso and out to the extremities. The incubation period for measles ranges from 7-21 days after exposure and individuals are infectious from 4 days prior to rash onset until 4 days after rash onset. Measles is highly contagious and spreads via airborne transmission. More info...

(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed a case of measles in an adult international traveler visiting Orange County (OC). The person visited the following locations in Orange County while infectious:        

• July 26 – Denny's Restaurant (1168 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92802) from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• July 27 – CVS Pharmacy (1803 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92802) from 12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• July 27 – Walmart (1120 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805) from 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• July 28 – Anaheim Global Medical Center Emergency Department (1025 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805) from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• July 28 – CVS Pharmacy (1676 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim CA 92802) from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

The HCA has been working with Anaheim Global Medical Center to contact anyone who may have been exposed to this case and who are at increased risk of severe outcomes, such as infants, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. People who were in the locations above around the same time(s) should:

• Review whether they are immune to measles or not. People who are not fully immunized against measles or who don’t know if they are immune to measles already should talk with a health care provider about receiving the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
• Monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7 days to 21 days after their exposure (the time period when symptoms may develop); if symptoms develop, stay at home and call a health care provider immediately for guidance.

“Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe disease in some individuals. Common symptoms include fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. “It spreads very easily by air and by direct contact with an infected person. People are contagious from approximately four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears. Anyone suspecting that they have measles should call their medical provider before arriving at the medical office, to avoid exposing others to the measles virus. Immunization provides the best protection.”

For information about measles in Orange County including any updates to this case in Orange County visit www.ochealthinfo.com/measles.
For more information about measles, visit www.cdc.gov/measles.

Measles can be prevented through immunization:

• Infants should receive their first MMR vaccine at 12-15 months of age. The second dose of MMR is given at 4 to 6 years of age before going to school.
• Immunizing children, adolescents and adults is the best way to protect infants who are too young to receive the MMR vaccine.
• MMR vaccines are very safe. The benefits far outweigh any risks. Side effects are usually mild, such as soreness where the shot was given.
• Measles is found in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Receiving an MMR vaccine before international travel is recommended for those who have not already received two doses.

ABOUT THE OC HEALTH CARE AGENCY
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is a regional interdisciplinary health jurisdiction and an accredited health department, charged with protecting and promoting individual, family and community health through partnership and coordination of public and private sector resources. Visit www.ochealthinfo.com to learn more about services and resources.

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Source

Translations: Arabic | Chinese (Simplified / Traditional) | Farsi | Korean | Spanish | Vietnamese

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform healthcare providers, laboratory professionals, healthcare facility administrators, and state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments of a critical shortage of Becton Dickinson (BD) BACTECTM blood culture media bottles. This shortage has the potential to disrupt patient care by leading to delays in diagnosis, misdiagnosis, or other challenges in the clinical management of patients with certain infectious diseases. Healthcare providers, laboratory professionals, healthcare facility administrators, and state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments affected by this shortage should immediately begin to assess their situations and develop plans and options to mitigate the potential impact of the shortage on patient care.