The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is recognizing January as National Cervical Health Awareness Month and encouraging women to get screened for cervical cancer. “Over the years, we have seen a dramatic decrease in cervical cancer. However, rates have recently leveled off,” said Faith Sandberg-Rodriguez, associate commissioner of Family Clinical Services. “Half of the cervical cancer cases we see today occur among women who have never or rarely been screened. We are encouraging Texans […]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Get Informed, Screened, and Vaccinated for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
Take the next steps towards preventing cervical cancer and learn about the many treatment options available January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and Harris County Public Health (HCPH) wants you to get informed, screened, and vaccinated to better protect your cervical health. Cervical cancer is a disease in which cancer cells arise in the cervix, which connects the uterus to the vagina. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common cause of cervical cancer. It is […]
Harris County Resident with Severe Illnesses in Addition to Being Presumptive Positive for Monkeypox Passes Away Autopsy results will be available in the next few weeks
An adult with various severe illnesses who was also presumptive positive for monkeypox died on August 28, 2022, at a Harris County hospital. At this time, the patient’s cause of death is unknown. Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is collaborating with partners to determine what role, if any, monkeypox may have played in this person’s death. An autopsy is in process, and the final report will be available in the next few weeks. “We are sharing this information […]
AG Paxton Sues Biden Over Illegal Airline, Airport Mask Mandate
Attorney General Ken Paxton, alongside the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) on behalf of Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, sued the Biden Administration for its illegal mask mandate for airlines and airports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) mandate was unlawfully issued. It was not authorized by Congress, and the CDC did not put the mandate up for notice and comment, which is ordinarily required for regulations like this. Yet a person’s failure to comply with the Administration’s mask mandate carries criminal penalties. “Biden’s repeated disregard of the individual liberties of Texans is not […]
Harris County Reports First COVID-19 Omicron Variant-Related Death
Unvaccinated man with underlying health conditions had tested positive for the Omicron variant Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is reporting the first COVID-19 Omicron-variant-associated death in the County. The death reported this afternoon was of a man between the ages of 50-60 years old who was unvaccinated and had been infected with COVID-19 previously. The individual was at higher risk of severe complications from COVID-19 due to his unvaccinated status and had underlying health conditions. […]
Include a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster in Your Holiday “To Do” list
Booster doses are available for qualifying fully vaccinated residents Unlike last year, this upcoming holiday season we have a vaccine available that can protect us against COVID-19. Additionally, eligible residents who completed their two-dose mRNA vaccine series (Pfizer or Moderna) at least six months ago and anyone who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago can get a booster. Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is administering the COVID-19 vaccine booster […]
Harris County Public Health Now Offers Pfizer Vaccine Booster
Booster doses available for qualifying residents who received previously the Pfizer vaccine series Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is now administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine booster to qualifying residents who received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago. All COVID-19 vaccines provide strong protection for most people. A booster vaccine in an additional dose given after the protection provided by the original series has begun to decrease over time. The Pfizer booster helps […]
How Did 38 Million Flu Cases Drop to Only 2,000 in Just One Year?
Pandemic Precautions Likely Prevented COVID 19 and the Flu The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded less than 2,000 flu cases nationwide from September 2020 to April 2021, an all-time low. There were more than 38 million cases during the previous flu season, which the CDC considered a moderate season. It appears the extreme measures and routine precautions required to slow the spread of COVID-19, also dramatically reduced the number of flu cases. Since both […]
Sen. Cruz Issues Statement Slamming New Mask Mandate
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz today released the following statement in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) new mask mandate announcement: “Today’s decision, sadly, was driven by politics, not science. Let me be clear: there should be no more COVID mandates, no mask mandates, no vaccine mandates, no vaccine passports, no lockdowns, and no school closures. Enough is enough. The CDC has lost its credibility when it comes to what decisions Americans […]
COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccine Now Available to Children Ages 12-15
Starting Tomorrow, Harris County Public Health offers the Pfizer vaccine at NRG Park Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation, Harris County Public Health (HCPH) announces that children ages 12-15 are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at NRG Park. Starting tomorrow, May 13, parents can pre-register their children to get the vaccine by visiting ReadyHarris.org. Appointments can also be made by calling the HCPH Vaccine Center at 832-927-8787 or parents can drive up without […]