Houston – Today the Harris County Commissioners Court executed a contract with IBM to develop enabling technology for its ACCESS (Accessing Coordinated Care and Empowering Self-Sufficiency) Harris County Initiative that focuses on providing coordinated services to vulnerable residents in need of services across the County’s safety net system and programs. The mission of ACCESS Harris County is to identify the most vulnerable residents in the community—that often are in need of services to address economic […]
HCPH
HCPH Now Administering COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Under 5 Years Old
Houston – Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is now administering the COVID-19 vaccine to children 6 months to 4 years old. This follows the recent emergency use authorization given to both Pfizer and Moderna by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with approval by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). HCPH encourages parents or guardians to first seek a COVID-19 vaccine for their […]
Harris County Public Health Condemns Gun Violence
Houston – Last week, as the nation learned of the senseless shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 students and two school staff members were murdered, the Harris County Commissioners Court passed a resolution to designate June as Gun Violence Awareness Month. The number of mass shootings across the country continues to grow. More than 110 Americans are killed with guns, and more than 200 are shot and wounded every day. In barely five […]
Reduce the Spread of COVID and Celebrate Safely This Holiday Season
16- and 17-year-olds are now eligible to receive a Pfizer booster shot Brighten this Christmas and holiday season by making the safety of your family and friends a priority. Harris County Public Health (HCPH) encourages residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots when eligible. Now, fully vaccinated 16- and 17-year-olds qualify for booster shots. As of December 19, 2021, there are 596,060 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the City of Houston and Harris County. […]
There is Still Time to Prepare for the Holidays by Getting Fully Vaccinated
Travel and Spend Time with Loved Ones Safely This Year Since there were no approved COVID-19 vaccines last year, many families scrapped travel plans, downsized family gatherings, or canceled them altogether. One year makes a huge difference, but only if you are vaccinated. There is still time between now and Thanksgiving to get both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or one dose of Johnson and Johnson. Health officials agree it is safe for fully vaccinated people to […]
Alarming Increase in COVID-19 Cases Results in Local Health Authority Ordering Use of Face Masks in Schools
To date, COVID-19 cases have increased 332% from early July 2021 With schools back in session, the Harris County Local Health Authority is implementing the use of facemasks on all public and non-religious private schools to protect the health of students and their families. This order is to be followed by students in any and all grades from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, and in all Licensed Child Care Centers offering care and education in Houston and Harris County, for the […]
COVID-19 Delta Variant Confirmed in 14 Residents in Harris County
All 14 Residents were Unvaccinated Harris County Public Health (HCPH) reports 14 individuals in unincorporated Harris County contracted the COVID-19 Delta variant between April and June 2021. All 14 individuals were unvaccinated. The CDC reports nearly 25 percent of new COVID-19 cases were linked to the Delta variant and are up six percent from early June of this year. The Delta variant is much more contagious than the original strain of the virus and appears […]
Celebrate Your Independence from COVID-19
Unvaccinated Harris County Residents Continue at Risk of Getting COVID-19 Although cases have continued to decline, Harris County Public Health (HCPH) continues to receive reports of cases and COVID-19 related deaths every day. Unvaccinated people remain at high risk of contracting COVID-19, including the highly contagious Delta variant. It is up to all of us to end the pandemic and to ensure that, more people must get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccine and testing sites will be […]
Ages 12 and Up Get Vaccinated, Under 12 Get Tested
Vaccines work. COVID-19 cases are declining, but not enough people have been vaccinated yet to declare victory against the virus. Some parts of the country are still experiencing increases in COVID-19 cases of children and teens who need hospitalization, including some in ICUs. Children are not immune to COVID-19 and can become extremely ill or suffer long term health effects from it. Parents are strongly encouraged to get their children ages 12 and up vaccinated […]
Get Family Members Vaccinated or Tested
Less than 40% of the Population has been Vaccinated Thanks to vaccinations, COVID-19 numbers are finally going in the right direction. Adult cases and deaths are declining. However, children’s cases have been increasing nationwide and children are getting sicker from the virus, but not being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19 in greater numbers. That’s why it is extremely important for parents to get their 12-17 year-old children vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine. Twelve to 17-year-olds […]