(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has begun offering bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccines this week. This follows Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for these vaccines’ use and updated booster recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice as well as the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup.

According to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, “The updated COVID-19 boosters are formulated to better protect against the most recently circulating COVID-19 variant. They can help restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination and were designed to provide broader protection against newer variants.”

The bivalent vaccines are recommended for age-appropriate individuals as a single booster dose administered at least 2 months after either completion of a primary vaccination series or receipt of the most recent booster dose.

The Pfizer-BioNTech Bivalent vaccine is authorized for use in people 12 years and older, while the Moderna Bivalent vaccine is authorized for use in people 18 years and older. A bivalent COVID-19 booster dose can be co-administered with other vaccines, including influenza vaccines.
 
“Studies continue to show that receiving a COVID-19 vaccine prevents infection, hospitalization and death,” says Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. “As we approach the winter season, getting a booster dose will protect against serious illness caused by COVID-19. I strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to receive it.”
 
Eligible residents and visitors are advised to visit www.myturn.ca.gov or www.vaccines.gov to find a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine near you. HCA clinics also continue to provide COVID-19 vaccines to high-risk communities; appointments are available at www.othena.com.
 
To read more about bivalent COVID-19 vaccines, visit the FDA’s webpage FDA Bivalent or the California Department of Public Health COVID statement.  
 
For more information, contact your primary care provider, visit the HCA’s COVID-19 website at www.ochealthinfo.com/covid19 or call OC Health Referral Line 1-800-564-8448.

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(Santa Ana, CA) – The National Weather Service predicts high temperatures continuing to reach the high 90s and low 100 degrees in many cities in Orange County through Friday, 9/9. Residents are encouraged to take precautions to avoid-heated illness, especially older adults, young children, outdoor workers, athletes and people with chronic medical conditions who are especially sensitive to negative health impacts from extreme heat.

Residents without access to air-conditioned facilities are encouraged to seek a cooling center in your area. Cooling centers are free, indoor air-conditioned locations where you can keep cool when there are extreme heat weather conditions. For information on cooling centers near you, call 2-1-1 or visit https://ocsheriff.gov/coolingcenters.

Be aware of and know what to do for heat-related illness, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Call 911 right away if you see these symptoms: high body temperature (103°F or higher), vomiting, dizziness, confusion, and hot, red, dry, or damp skin. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.

Local schools and athletic organizations are encouraged to minimize outdoor activity and physical education to protect students from heat-relative illnesses and injuries.

Recommended precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses include:

• Drink plenty of water; don’t wait until you are thirsty.
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
• Stay out of the sun if possible, and when in the sun wear a wide brim hat and use sunscreen.
• Avoid strenuous activities if you are outside or in non-air-conditioned buildings. If you are working outdoors, take frequent rest and refreshment breaks in a shaded area.
• Never leave children, elderly people or pets unattended in closed cars or other vehicles.
• Check on those, like neighbors, who are at high risk to make sure they are staying cool – including seniors who live alone, people with heart or lung disease, and young children.
• Stay cool indoors – if your home is not air conditioned, visit public facilities such as shopping malls and libraries to stay cool.

For more information on heat-related illnesses, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat.

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(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has begun administering Novavax vaccines at HCA-managed vaccination sites, beginning this week. Flu vaccines are also now being offered. Though COVID-19 cases are currently declining in Orange County, the HCA encourages individuals who are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza (flu) to get vaccinated.
 
“Studies continue to show that receiving a COVID-19 vaccine reduces infections, hospitalizations and deaths,” says Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. “As we begin the flu season, getting infected with COVID-19 as well as the flu is a real possibility for anyone who is not yet vaccinated against either disease or is at risk. We encourage the public to protect themselves and loved ones by advocating for COVID-19 and flu vaccination.”
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics, flu vaccines can be safely co-administered with COVID-19 vaccines for both eligible children and adults. Eligible residents can register for an appointment by visiting www.Othena.com.
 
Novavax is a 2-dose vaccine, given three weeks apart. In early 2021, it was found to be 90% effective against mild, moderate and severe disease in a trial of 30,000 people ages 18 and older. Residents 12 years and older are eligible to receive the Novavax vaccine, however it isn’t authorized for use as a booster or for children 11 and younger. See Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) here
 
Unlike the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, the Novavax vaccine was developed without the use of mRNA technology. Rather, Novavax directly delivers the spike protein plus an immune system which is the same mechanism used successfully in vaccines for shingles, HPV, hepatitis B and childhood vaccines for diphtheria and tetanus.  
 
Anyone currently unvaccinated for COVID-19 and seeking the Novavax vaccine, can visit www.othena.com to schedule an appointment. Some pharmacy locations are also offering Novavax through www.vaccines.gov.
 
If you have questions about Novavax or the flu vaccine, talk to your primary care provider. For more information and resources on influenza, visit Influenza | Orange County California - Health Care Agency (ochealthinfo.com) or call HCA’s Health Referral Line at 1-800-564-8448.
 
For more information on COVID-19 information and resources, including case counts, vaccination, and testing in Orange County, visit ochealthinfo.com/covid or call HCA’s Health Referral Line at 1-800-564-8448.

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(Santa Ana, CA) – Temperatures in most of Orange County are expected to reach the low to mid 90s beginning Wednesday 8/31 and reach the high 90s and low 100 degrees through Monday 9/5. High temperatures increase the risk of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heatstroke for those who are more sensitive to heat.

Prolonged exposure to excessive temperatures may cause serious conditions like heat cramps or heatstroke and can even be fatal. Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache, nausea or vomiting and dizziness.

Warning signs of heat stroke may include an extremely high body temperature, unconsciousness, confusion, hot and dry skin (no sweating), a rapid pulse, and a throbbing headache. If symptoms of heat stroke occur, immediately call for medical assistance. Move the person to a shady area and begin cooling their body with water.

Recommended precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses include:

• Drink plenty of water; don’t wait until you are thirsty.
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
• Stay out of the sun if possible, and when in the sun wear a wide brim hat and use sunscreen.
• Avoid strenuous activities if you are outside or in non-air-conditioned buildings. If you are working outdoors, take frequent rest and refreshment breaks in shaded area. 
• Never leave children, elderly people or pets unattended in closed cars or other vehicles.
• Check on those, like neighbors, who are at high risk to make sure they are staying cool – including seniors who live alone, people with heart or lung disease, and young children.
• Stay cool indoors – if your home is not air conditioned, visit public facilities such as shopping malls and libraries to stay cool.

For more information on heat-related illnesses, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat.

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(Santa Ana, CA) – On August 23, 2022, the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) recorded the first case of human monkeypox (hMPX) infection in a youth less than 18 years old. Contact investigation is underway, and vaccines are being offered to those who may have been exposed to the individual.
 
As vaccine supplies remains limited, taking precautions to prevent hMPX is advised as anyone, who has been in close, personal contact with someone who has hMPX is at risk regardless of sexual orientation or gender identify. According to the CDC, following the recommended prevention steps and getting vaccinated if exposed or are at higher risk of being exposed to hMPX can help protect you and your community.
 
“Please remember that monkeypox is very uncommon in children” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. “It is important to note that many childhood illnesses can cause rashes. If you or your children have a new or unusual rash, please follow preventive guidance and seek medical attention from a qualified health care professional for further recommendations.”

To prevent the spread of hMPX in Orange County, we ask individuals to be aware of the risks and how hMPX spreads; (1) avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like hMPX; (2) avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with hMPX has used; and (3) wash your hands often.
People who have symptoms of hMPX, particularly the characteristic rash or lesions, should take the following steps:

• Contact your primary care provider
• Cover the area of the rash with clothing, and wear a mask
• Avoid skin-to-skin, or close contact with others
• Isolate in a separate room or area from family members and pets

Local clinicians who have any suspected cases are advised to manage the case and immediately contact the HCA’s Communicable Disease Control Division at (714) 834-8180.
 
The CDC does not currently recommend widespread vaccination against hMPX. However, vaccination may be recommended for some people who are close personal contacts of people with hMPX, may have been exposed to the virus, and/or may have increased risk of being exposed to the virus. Eligible residents needing their first dose can now register by visiting www.othena.com to join the virtual queue.
 
For more information on hMPX, including case counts, prevention strategies, vaccination and what the HCA is doing in Orange County, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/monkeypox. Additional information is available from the CDC at Monkeypox | Poxvirus | CDC and https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/pdf/MPOX-info-teens-young-adults.pdf.

Those without internet access or needing help with registration can call the HCA Health Referral Line for assistance at 1-800-564-9448 (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)  or for general information about testing, treatment, and vaccines.  

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(Santa Ana, CA) – An adult male has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) infection, becoming the first human WNV infection in Orange County this year.

People over 50 years of age and those with certain medical conditions are at increased risk of serious complications from WNV infection. In 2021, there were three reported human infections of WNV, and zero WNV-related deaths reported in Orange County.
 
WNV is spread by insects, most often mosquitoes and can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses and some other mammals. Most people who become infected with WNV do not become ill, but about 20% will develop flu-like symptoms including fever headache, body aches, nausea, tiredness and sometimes a skin rash. More serious symptoms, such as severe headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, muscle weakness or paralysis, occur more rarely. People who develop severe symptoms should seek medical care immediately.
 
“West Nile Virus is endemic in Orange County, recurring every year during the summer months and continuing into the fall,” said Dr. Matthew Zahn, Deputy County Health Officer. "The best way to avoid West Nile Virus infection is to take precautionary measures to avoid mosquito bites.”

Recommended WNV precautions include:

• Emptying all standing water on your property to reduce areas in which mosquitoes may breed, including flowerpots and pet bowls
• Making sure your window and door screens are in good condition
• Using insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or products containing IR3535, always following label directions
• Limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.

Information on mosquito control is available on the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s website at  www.ocvector.org. Other websites with helpful information about WNV include:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/westnile
• State of California: www.westnile.ca.gov
• OC Health Care Agency: http://ochealthinfo.com/wnv

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