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 […]
Vaccine
HCPH Encourages Everyone to Get Tested for COVID-19
Whether you attended large, small or no holiday gatherings at all, everyone should get tested as soon as possible. Harris County’s COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are increasing at alarming rates. New infections from holiday gatherings and travel will add to those numbers in coming weeks. In addition, many people have the virus and don’t know it, 4 out of 10 people don’t have any symptoms but are still contagious. They can infect family and friends who […]
Eligible Phase 1a Individuals To Receive Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
Following the arrival of additional COVID-19 vaccines from the state, Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is now in the process of administering doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to eligible Phase 1a individuals. On December 23rd, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) delivered 3,000 doses to HCPH to support county efforts to vaccinate eligible recipients who may not already be served by the first round of the Pfizer vaccine. As part of this […]
OakBend Medical Center Begins Administering Mederna Vaccinations to Front Line Workers Today
OakBend Medical Center will receive its first shipment of Mederna vaccine at 10:30 A.M. today and will begin administering the vaccine to its First-Tier front-line staff and CEO beginning at 1 P.M. today. They are scheduled to do 50 shots on this first day. Once the front-line workers have received their vaccine, the hospital will begin immediately scheduling local fire departments and other healthcare workers.
Second COVID-19 Vaccine Authorized for Emergency Use
Christmas is almost here, the second COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for emergency use and it’s still critically important you get tested and take precautions to prevent getting the virus. Cases and hospitalizations are climbing in Harris County and unfortunately, holiday gatherings are expected to fuel that trend. Celebrate the holidays in safe ways. Either share your holiday traditions virtually or keep your gatherings small, 10 people or less. Wash your hands frequently and wear masks […]
As Vaccine Arrives, COVID-19 Precautions and Testing Are Still Critical
Cases and Hospitalizations Increasing Rapidly Some local hospitals will be receiving COVID-19 vaccine this week for their staffs. The supply is limited until more vaccine is produced, so groups of people will be vaccinated in phases. There should be enough for everyone sometime in 2021. The current increase in COVID-19 cases is concerning because we won’t see the full impact of the Thanksgiving holiday for another week or two, close to Christmas time. Our best […]
Houston Va Selected As One Of 37 VA Sites To Receive Initial Doses Of Covid-19 Vaccine
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center today announced that it has been selected as one of 37 VA sites to receive initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Houston VA was selected for its ability to vaccinate large numbers of people and store the vaccines at extremely cold temperatures. In accordance with Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, the Houston VA will begin vaccinating health care personnel and Veterans in VA’s long-term health care […]
Share Love and Memories During the Holidays, Not COVID-19
Find Ways to Feel Close to Loved Ones Without Being Close A COVID-19 vaccine is coming soon, but there won’t be enough for all of us until sometime in 2021. Meanwhile cases are surging in our community, hospitals are filling up and the holiday season is here. In the meantime, we need to find creative ways to enjoy this holiday season and keep ourselves and loved ones safe. Getting tested is a good start since 4 in 10 infected people don’t […]
Getting Your Flu Vaccine Is More Important This Year Ever
Winter holidays are here and so is Flu Season. The Flu and COVID-19 are both very contagious viruses and spread in similar ways. Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2020-2021 to protect yourself and the people around you from flu. The vaccine will not protect you from COVID-19, but may keep you from getting both viruses at the same time. Harris County Public Health has Flu Vaccine events throughout December. Getting […]
Vaccine, anti-PD1 drug show promise against incurable HPV-related cancers
Immunotherapy combination yields high response rate compared to earlier single-agent trials HOUSTON – A tumor-specific vaccine combined with an immune checkpoint inhibitorshrank tumors in one third of patients with incurable cancer related to the human papilloma virus (HPV) in a phase II clinical trial led by investigators at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and reported in JAMA Oncology. “That encouraging response rate is about twice the rate produced by PD1 checkpoint inhibitors in previous clinical trials, so […]