All articles tagged with #cdc guidance
The article discusses recent shifts in vaccine guidance for children regarding flu and COVID-19 shots, highlighting that flu vaccination is broadly recommended for children 6 months and older, while COVID-19 vaccine recommendations are now more varied, with some groups advising vaccination for all children and others emphasizing individual choice, leading to potential confusion among parents.
RFK Jr. claimed that 'everybody can get' the COVID-19 vaccine, but the current restrictions, FDA approval process, and pending CDC guidance mean that access is limited to certain groups and may involve additional barriers, making his statement mostly false.
Marin County's health officer urges residents to get the 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine amid changing CDC recommendations and FDA approvals, highlighting concerns over recent policy shifts and emphasizing the importance of vaccination for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children.
Norovirus, also known as the stomach flu, is a highly contagious virus causing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea. It spreads through close contact, contaminated food or surfaces, and can lead to dehydration. There is no vaccine, but prevention measures include frequent handwashing, wearing gloves, cleaning dishes and surfaces, washing produce, and staying hydrated.
The CDC is recommending that people aged 65 and older receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose in the spring or at least four months after their most recent dose, as data shows that current hospitalization rates for COVID-19 are highest among seniors. The decision is based on evidence that vaccine protection wanes over time, and the new dose can provide added protection, especially for high-risk segments of the population. However, uptake of the newest COVID-19 vaccine has been low among older adults, posing a challenge to achieving widespread protection.
Residents in certain areas of San Diego, including Imperial Beach, Coronado, Nestor, and Otay, are under a boil water advisory issued by the California-American Water Company. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using bottled water or boiled tap water for drinking, brushing teeth, and cooking. It is important to bring water to a full rolling boil for at least one minute and allow it to cool before use. Precautions should also be taken when bathing or showering, especially with young children. The County of San Diego is working with healthcare facilities and restaurants to ensure public health and safety. For more information, residents can contact Cal-Am Water or visit the CDC website.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidance on two newly approved respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for adults aged 60 and older. RSV is a common cause of respiratory illness in older adults, leading to hospitalizations and deaths. The vaccines have shown moderate to high effectiveness in preventing symptomatic RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease. However, there have been reported cases of inflammatory neurologic events following vaccination, and further research is needed to determine any potential risks. The CDC recommends that older adults at highest risk for severe RSV and those most likely to benefit from the vaccines should be targeted. Individuals with certain medical conditions and compromised immunity are at higher risk for RSV-associated hospitalization. Vaccinations should ideally be given before the start of the RSV season, but the timing has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
General Mills has recalled four of its Gold Medal all-purpose flour varieties due to the potential presence of salmonella, with 13 illnesses and 3 hospitalizations reported so far. The recall includes Gold Medal Unbleached All-Purpose Flour in five- and ten-pound bags and Gold Medal Bleached All-Purpose Flour in two- and five-pound bags. The CDC recommends that customers who own the tainted flour discard or return it to where they purchased it and contact a health care provider if they display any salmonella symptoms.
Health groups in Massachusetts are urging the state to maintain mask mandates in healthcare settings, even as the state plans to lift the mandate on May 11th. Members of the Massachusetts Coalition for Health Equity met with health officials from the Healey administration to implore them to maintain the mask rule in health settings. The decision to lift the mandate was made following "extensive conversations with health care experts" and aligns with CDC guidance and federal requirements based on transmission rates. However, health care settings remain the most likely places for high-risk people to encounter a COVID positive person, and some studies have found that universal masking is more effective than one-way masking.