HEALTH MATTERS 'R' number going in right direction Be optimistic, but don't breathe a sigh of relief just yet Case rates and hospitalizations are ...
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HEALTH MATTERS
VOL. 2, NO. 4 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022
Island County COVID Response Community Guidance
‘R’ number going in right direction
Be optimistic, but don’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet
C
ase rates and hospitalizations are two
metrics used to understand how many
people are infected or hospitalized for
COVID-19.
And then there’s the
R0 number, a means used
to rate a disease’s ability n Washington
to spread among a given Gov. Jay Inslee
population. announced
In a nutshell, the Feb. 17 that,
R0 number – the “R” as of March R
standing for “reproduc-
tion” – is the average 21, masks will
number of people to likely no longer to
whom one infected per- be required in
son will pass the virus. most indoor
More useful when settings, in-
tracking a pandemic such cluding schools
as COVID-19 is the “ef- and childcare
fective reproductive num-
ber,” said Jamie Hamilton, facilities.
an epidemiologist for the See story on
Island County COVID page 4
Response Team. “The
effective reproductive
number can be a good guide in determining how
easily COVID-19 is spreading in a population,
and whether we can expect more or fewer cases
in the future.”
“The effective reproductive number, often
referred to as Rt or Re, describes the number of
secondary cases each positive case infects at a
particular time,” he explained. “When Re is great-
er than one, it means each case is, on average,
infecting more than one other person and that
case rates are growing.”
“When Re is less than one, each case is, on
average, infecting fewer than one other person,
so case rates are decreasing,” he said.
“Here in Island County, over the course of
the pandemic, we have had some of the lowest
total unadjusted rates of disease, hospitalization
and death from COVID-19 in the state,” said
Hamilton.”
See OPTIMISTIC, page 2 Jamie Hamilton is an epidemiologist for Island County Public Health.
OPTIMISTIC: ‘R’ going in right direction
Continued from page 1
“However, the more transmission
there is around the world, the more
opportunity there is for a new variant to
evolve that might challenge our preex-
isting immunity – and our community
– once again.”
And when it comes to Island Coun-
ty, the R number is clearly headed in
the right direction, Hamilton said.
“Any time that cases are decreasing
Rt is below one, and the sharper the de-
cline in case rates, the lower Rt will be
at any point in time,” Hamilton said. “If
Rt is more than 1, the virus will spread
to more and more people, and the case
rate will continue to go up. Unchecked,
this can give rise to an epidemic. If Rt is
1, then the disease is spreading at a sta-
ble rate. If Rt is less than 1, then the case
rate will decline as the disease becomes Hamilton talks with coworker Melissa Hartmann.
less and less prevalent.
“It would be far more helpful for that we currently see. “There’s still “Hopefully, most people are
each of us to imagine how our personal enough disease in the community immune so that that won’t happen,
behavior can change the pandemic by that we could drop our guard and but I’m not gonna breathe a sigh of
changing our personal R number,” said encourage it to spread, and thus lose relief for another two to three weeks,”
Island County Public Health Officer Dr. some of that downward momentum.” Leibrand said.
Howard Leibrand.
“The takeaway message is that
everything we do to make the virus
spread less quickly can be measured in
Epidemic, pandemic or endemic?
retrospect by the changing R number,” What is the difference be- pandemic.”
said Leibrand. tween a pandemic, epidemic and “These all have to do with
“Think about the extremes. Some- endemic? the number of people involved
one with the virus who has no contact According to the Centers for and the geographic distribution
and gives it to no one has an R of zero. Disease Control, an outbreak is of the illness,” he said.
Someone with the virus who gives it to called an epidemic when there “Once a pandemic has
is a sudden increase in cases. played out, it becomes an en-
40 people at a ‘superspreader’ event has As COVID-19 began spreading demic,” Leibrand said.
an R of 40.” in Wuhan, China, it became an “This means that the illness
There’s little likelihood that epidemic. continues to exist in the com-
COVID-19 will disappear, however. Because the disease then munity, but at much lower rates
“Unfortunately, the elimination spread across several countries and in a much more sporadic
of COVID-19 is not a realistic goal,” and affected a large number of pattern.”
Hamilton said. “As a result, we will be people, it was classified as a “Endemic disease can
hoping to see our Re stay under one pandemic. change back to epidemic and
“An infectious disease starts pandemic disease in basically
as we move further from our omicron as an individual case, spreads two ways, one preventable and
peak, and then, eventually, hovering to a cluster, and then becomes the other not. If we fail to get
around one for the foreseeable future, an outbreak,” explained Island boosted at regular intervals or
indicating that transmission has stabi- County Public Health Officer Dr. fail to follow common-sense
lized at a low rate.” Howard Leibrand. “If nothing is infection control practices we
“The short-term message that is done to stop the spread, it soon could trigger another cluster,
most important right now is that we becomes a regional epidemic. And another outbreak, another
shouldn’t alter our behavior too soon if an epidemic continues to spread epidemic and maybe another
to many countries, it is declared a pandemic,” Leibrand said.
and too drastically and end up revers-
ing the very good downward trend
PAGE 2 ISLAND COUNTY COVID RESPONSE COMMUNITY GUIDANCE
WHO says BA.2 remains ‘variant of concern’
As part of ongoing work to track has been increasing relative to BA.1 suggest that infection with BA.1 pro-
variants, the World Health Organiza- in recent weeks, however the global vides strong protection against reinfec-
tion’s Technical Advisory Group on circulation of all variants is reportedly tion with BA.2, at least for the limited
SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG- declining. period for which data are available.
VE) met Feb. 22 to discuss the latest BA.2 differs from BA.1 in its ge- While reaching the above deter-
evidence on the Omicron variant of netic sequence, including some amino mination, the TAG-VE also looked
concern, including its sublineages acid differences in the spike protein at preliminary laboratory data from
BA.1 and BA.2. and other proteins. Japan generated using animal models
Based on available data of transmis- Studies have shown that BA.2 has a without any immunity to SARS-CoV-2
sion, severity, reinfection, diagnostics, growth advantage over BA.1. Studies which highlighted that BA.2 may cause
therapeutics and impacts of vaccines, are ongoing to understand the reasons more severe disease in hamsters com-
the group reinforced that the BA.2 for this growth advantage, but initial pared to BA.1.
sublineage should continue to be con- data suggest that BA.2 appears inher- They also considered real-world
sidered a variant of concern and that it ently more transmissible than BA.1, data on clinical severity from South
should remain classified as Omicron. which currently remains the most Africa, the United Kingdom, and Den-
The group emphasized that BA.2 common Omicron sublineage report- mark, where immunity from vaccina-
should continue to be monitored as ed. This difference in transmissibility tion or natural infection is high: in this
a distinct sublineage of Omicron by appears to be much smaller than, for data, there was no reported difference
public health authorities. example, the difference between BA.1 in severity between BA.2 and BA.1.
The Omicron variant of concern is and Delta. WHO will continue to closely
currently the dominant variant circu- Further, although BA.2 sequences monitor the BA.2 lineage as part of
lating globally, accounting for nearly are increasing in proportion relative Omicron and requests countries to
all sequences reported to GISAID. to other Omicron sublineages (BA.1 continue to be vigilant, to monitor and
Omicron is made up of several and BA.1.1), there is still a reported report sequences, as well as to conduct
sublineages, each of them being moni- decline in overall cases globally. independent and comparative analyses
tored by WHO and partners. Studies are evaluating the risk of re- of the different Omicron sublineages.
Of them, the most common ones infection with BA.2 compared to BA.1. The TAG-VE meets regularly and
are BA.1, BA.1.1 (or Nextstrain clade Reinfection with BA.2 following continues to discuss available data on
21K) and BA.2 (or Nextstrain clade infection with BA.1 has been docu- transmissibility and severity of vari-
21L). At a global level, the proportion mented, however, initial data from ants, and their impact on diagnostics,
of reported sequences designated BA.2 population-level reinfection studies therapeutics, and vaccines.
SARS-CoV-2 Lineages Circulating in Washington State
ISLAND COUNTY COVID RESPONSE COMMUNITY GUIDANCE PAGE 3
Mask rules lifting most places March 21
With dropping hospitalization rates, in certain settings such as public trans- ments regarding distancing, ventilation,
improving vaccination rates and broad portation and school buses. and sanitation so they become recom-
access to masks and tests, Gov. Jay The statewide mask requirements mendations.
Inslee Feb. 17 announced the state can for most indoor settings will expire Until Monday, March 21, the K-12
soon move into a less restrictive phase March 21. There are some exceptions to Schools Requirements 2021–22 remain
of the COVID-19 response. protect medically vulnerable people or in effect.
Beginning March 21, face masks will to comply with federal requirements. “Our students, educators and school
no longer be required in most settings, employees and families have been in-
including K-12 schools and childcare Guidance for K-12 schools credibly resilient as we’ve navigated the
facilities. will be updated impacts of the pandemic,” said Super-
The lifting of statewide measures The week of March 7, DOH will intendent of Public Instruction Chris
does not prohibit local governments issue updated guidance for K-12 schools Reykdal.
from the ability to enact measures in to go into effect March 21. The guidance “Our efforts over the past two years
response to COVID-19 activity in their will be released early to help schools have led us to this moment. Nearly all of
communities, Inslee said. prepare for this transition. our school employees are vaccinated, the
“The virus has changed significantly Schools will still be required to number of vaccinated students increases
over the past two years, and so has our report COVID-19 cases and outbreaks, each day, and we have one of the most
ability to fight it,” Inslee said. “While and cooperate with public health robust COVID-19 school testing pro-
caution is still needed, we are entering a authorities in responding to these grams in the country,” Reykdal said.
new phase of the pandemic.” consistent with procedures for other “Moving away from a statewide mask
Inslee and leaders from the state communicable diseases, according to mandate to masks being encouraged is a
Department of Health said the combi- the governor’s office. safe next step as we move from pandemic
nation of dropping COVID-19 hospi- Students and staff with symptoms of to endemic.”
talization rates and efficacy of vaccines COVID-19 will continue to be required
in preventing severe illness and hospi- to quarantine away from school build- Safe workplace protocols
talization are important indicators that ings. Schools must also ensure access to remain in place
statewide requirements can begin to testing for staff and students who have COVID-19 remains a recognized
loosen. symptoms of or who may have been workplace hazard. When masks are
“Vaccination remains our most exposed to COVID-19. no longer required in the workplace,
essential protection against severe illness If a student or staff member tests employers must continue taking steps
and death from COVID-19. It’s also positive for COVID-19, they must re- to assess COVID-19 transmission
crucial to prevent our hospitals from main at home and follow the CDC and risks to employees and taking steps to
being overwhelmed again,” Inslee said. DOH isolation protocol.
“If you’ve been procrastinating, now is DOH will also shift existing require- See MASKS, page 5
the time to get the shot.”
Unvaccinated adults are 16 times
more likely to be hospitalized for Projected COVID-19 Hospital Admissions - DOH Modeling
COVID-19.
By the end of March, statewide
COVID-19 hospital admissions are
projected to fall to levels that no longer
overwhelm hospital systems, according
to Inslee.
While most indoor mask require-
ments will likely be lifted, masks will
still be required in health care settings
such as hospitals, outpatient and dental
offices, long-term care settings and cor-
rectional facilities.
Also, beginning March 1, vaccine
verification for large events will no lon-
ger be required.
Businesses and local governments
can still choose to implement vacci-
nation or face mask requirements for
workers or customers, and school dis-
tricts can still choose to have students
and teachers wear masks.
Federal law still requires face masks
PAGE 4 ISLAND COUNTY COVID RESPONSE COMMUNITY GUIDANCE
MASKS:
Mandate
to ease
Continued from page 4
minimize those risks.
Risks vary depending
on the work space and
conditions. Possible steps
could include promoting
vaccination, improving Working together, we
can beat COVID-19
ventilation, offering face
masks, encouraging social
distancing or installing
sneeze guards or barriers.
Employers are still Two years into this pandemic, we’ve all learned to adapt to a new way of living –
required to notify work- thinking about our friends, family and neighbors as much as we do ourselves.
ers of potential exposures
when a co-worker has a We do this by masking up properly, keeping at least six feet apart, staying home
suspected or confirmed when you’re sick, and, most importantly, getting vaccinated for COVID-19.
case of COVID-19. In Yes, we are making strides, but we cannot let down our guard. To bring
worksites with 50 or
more employees, report this pandemic to an end, we need to work together.
outbreaks of 10 or more
confirmed cases to the And this is how we can do it:
state Department of La-
bor & Industries.
Employers must also Continuing Getting good Looking out
allow workers to contin- safe practices information for others
ue to wear masks if they
choose. GET VACCINATED: The most
important thing anyone can do to
WITH SOCIAL MEDIA, we’re
flooded with information about
IN ADDITION TO getting
vaccinated, masking up, washing
In 2021, the Legis- prevent spread of COVID-19 is to get COVID-19. Unfortunately, not all of your hands, social distancing and
lature passed SSB 5254, fully vaccinated.
People ages 5 and older are now
it is accurate. In fact, misinformation staying home when you feel sick,
which protects a worker’s eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine,
which is safe, effective and free.
is detrimental to the effort to end this
pandemic.
there’s more you can do to help
others.
right to wear a face cover- Everyone 12 and older should That begs the question, Here are some ideas:
get a booster shot.
ing and other protective To find local vaccination sites, “where can I go for the most up-to-
• Locate and contact your local
date, accurate information about
devices during a public visit www.vaccines.gov online or call
the Island County COVID Response COVID-19?”
food bank to see how you can
health emergency. The Call Center at 360-678-2301. Locally, you can go to www.
help familes in need during this
pandemic.
governor is amending WEAR A MASK: It isn’t an act of
opression, nor is it unhealthy to wear
islandcountywa.gov and click on “Is-
land County COVID-19 Public Health
• Give blood if you are able. The
an existing worker safety a mask. It’s a simple barrier to help Information.” That will take you to the
Red Cross and other organiza-
tions are in dire need of blood.
prevent your respiratory droplets
and protection emergen- from reaching others. Studies show COVID Response website, which is They offer safe, healthy ways to
cy order, Proclamation that masks reduce the spray of drop-
lets when worn over the mouth and
rich with local information about who
should get vaccinated for COVID-19,
donate.
• Volunteer your time, it’s a great
21–08, to reflect this new nose. You should wear a mask even
if you do not feel sick.
and where the vaccines are avail- way to give back to your commu-
state law. WASH YOUR HANDS: It’s easy
able. nity. Opportunities to volunteer
Proclamation 21–08 and one of the most effective ways to
There’s also information about
local pharmacies and other locations
abound on Whidbey and Camano
islands.
already prohibits employ- prevent the spread of germs. Clean
hands can stop germs from spread- that offer testing. • Check on neighbors and family
ers from taking adverse ing from one person to another and
through the entire community.
If you are symptomatic for members, especially those who
live alone, are elderly, have health
COVID-19, you can call the Island
action against a worker KEEP YOUR DISTANCE: Put County COVID Response Call or mobility issues or are caring for
for taking COVID-related at least six feet between yourself Center at 360-678-2301 to make an children. Schedule time to remote-
health actions, includ- and others. This helps protect those
at higher risk of severe illness from
appointment for a rapid-antigen test. ly connect to let them know they
are not alone.
ing getting vaccinated COVID-19. Other reliable sources of • Support frontline health work-
COVID-19 information are:
and taking time off to IF YOU FEEL SICK, STAY HOME:
Get tested if you have symptoms of • The Washington State Depart-
ers and first responders, even if
it’s just saying “thank you.”
get vaccinated or seek COVID-19, including fever, cough, ment of Health at www.doh.wa.gov • Support local businesses,
treatment, and it will now nausea, diarrhea, sore throat, fa-
tigue, body/muscle aches, loss of
• Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention at www.cdc.gov and its
schools and child care centers.
• Stay informed about COVID-19
also protect workers from taste/smell, congestion or shortness
of breath. vaccine locator at www.vaccines.gov and stay calm.
any adverse action for
wearing a face covering
while we remain in a state
of emergency.
Island County COVID Response Call Center 360-678-2301 www.islandcountywa.gov .
ISLAND COUNTY COVID RESPONSE COMMUNITY GUIDANCE PAGE 5
Studies: Boosters safe, offer protections
Data from two recent CDC reports
showed COVID-19 vaccine boosters
remain safe and continue to be highly
effective against severe disease over
time.
In the first study, CDC reviewed
data from two of its vaccine safety mon-
itoring systems, v-safe and the Vaccine
Adverse Event Reporting System, or
VAERS.
They found that people 18 years
and older who received the same mRNA
vaccine brand for all their vaccinations
experienced fewer adverse reactions
following the booster dose than they
did after their second dose of mRNA
vaccine.
Ninety two percent of reports to
VAERS were not considered serious, and
headache, fever and muscle pain were
among the most commonly reported
reactions. TWO CDC studies showed COVID-19 boosters are not only safe, but also offer a high-level of
V-safe data found medical care was protection against the virus.
rarely received after a booster dose.
A second study reveals that a third waves. In the study, about 10% of people recommended COVID-19 vaccinations,
dose of mRNA vaccine continues to offer were boosted and over 50% of people to ensure optimal protection against hos-
high levels of protection against severe hospitalized were over 65 years old. pitalizations and severe outcomes.
disease, even months after administra- During Omicron, vaccine effective- For most people, that means getting
tion, underscoring the importance of ness against hospitalization was 91% a booster dose five months after receiv-
staying up to date when eligible after during the first two months after a third ing an mRNA vaccine or two months
receiving a primary series. dose and remained high, at 78%, four or after receiving Johnson and Johnson’s
CDC examined data on 93,000 more months after a third dose. Janssen vaccine.
hospitalizations and 241,000 emergency Boosters are safe and effective, and CDC is continuing to closely mon-
department and urgent care visits across CDC continues to recommend every- itor the effectiveness of COVID-19 vac-
10 states during the Delta and Omicron one 5 and older remain up to date with cines to help inform public health efforts.
WA Verify reaches milestone of one million
The state Department of Health’s proof of vaccination at businesses, The digital record includes a QR
WA Verify, the state’s Digital COVID-19 restaurants, events, and more,” said code that, when scanned by a SMART
Verification Record system, has now Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, Health Card reader, will display the
generated more than a million QR MD, MPH. “If you have not utilized person’s COVID-19 vaccination in-
codes for Washington residents. this tool yet, I highly encourage you formation and can be easily added to
Wa Verify makes it easier and faster to do so today. It is easy, fast and Android or iPhone digital wallets or
for people to provide digital proof of convenient – and helps ensure you printed on paper.
their COVID-19 vaccination status. always have proof of your COVID-19 Those who received an additional
DOH’s Office of Innovation and vaccination with you.” dose and/or booster dose after gener-
Technology worked closely with part- WA Verify draws COVID-19 ating their initial QR code through WA
ners at MITRE, Microsoft, and the state records from the state’s immunization Verify will need to repeat the process
of California to create WAVerify.org. system. to receive an updated QR code that re-
Since launching in October 2021, WA To use the tool, people enter their flects their up to date vaccination status.
Verify has created 1,000,057 QR codes name, date of birth, and an email or To ensure updated vaccination
and counting, and currently supports phone number associated with their information has been submitted to the
more than 40 languages. vaccination record. If the information state’s Immunization Registry, DOH
“Thanks to WA Verify, Washing- matches an official record, they will recommends people wait at least three
tonians all across our state have been receive a text or email with a link to days after getting vaccinated to retrieve
able to successfully access their digital their digital COVID-19 verification their digital verification record and QR
COVID-19 vaccination records to show record. code through WA Verify.
PAGE 6 ISLAND COUNTY COVID RESPONSE COMMUNITY GUIDANCE
Q&A looks at vaccinating kids
Parenting isn’t easy, especially
during a pandemic. You’re trusted to
make daily decisions — around school,
child care, socializing, travel — that
impact the safety of your child and your
family. It’s a difficult and sometimes
lonely position to be in. Fortunately,
there’s a choice you don’t have to make
alone.
On Feb. 10, the state Department
of Health held a question-and-answer
interview with Dr. Elias Kass, a naturo-
pathic doctor at Intergalactic Pediatrics
in Seattle, about the decision to vacci-
nate your child against COVID-19 —
specifically children ages 5–11.
The conversation comes as
COVID-19 cases among children con-
tinue to rise across the United States.
Research from the American Academy
of Pediatrics finds that more than 1.1
million children were diagnosed with
COVID-19 during the week of Jan. 20.
That number is double what it was Parents who have young children and are vaccine hesistant had concerns addressed
just two weeks before. during a DOH Q&A on Feb. 10.
Question: Thank you for joining us,
Dr. Kass. We know parents have a lot of chances of your child having a severe can prevent much of the damage that
questions about the vaccine, especially illness or dying. We see less hospitaliza- COVID-19 can cause.
when it comes to safety. Is the vaccine tion among vaccinated children.
We also see fewer cases of a condi- Question: A 5-year-old can be a lot
necessary for children? smaller than an 11-year-old. Will all kids
Dr. Kass: We know kids can and tion called Multisystem Inflammatory
Syndrome-Children, or MIS-C, among in this age group have protection at that
do get sick from COVID-19. Early in dosage?
the pandemic that risk was lower. But vaccinated children. MIS-C is a rare but
very serious post-COVID-19 condition Dr. Kass: The dosage is picked in
that’s completely changed with the new the early phases of the vaccine trials.
variants, and with restrictions easing that affects different organs and sys-
tems in the body, like the heart, lungs, Health experts aim to find the dose that
for adults leading to more commu- provides the best protection with the
nity transmission. I’ve seen more brain, and skin. Even kids who have a
mild COVID-19 infection can later get fewest side effects. For this reason, they
COVID-19 cases in my office in the last chose 10 micrograms (which is 1/3 the
month than I have during the entire MIS-C.
dosage of the adult version) as the dose
pandemic. for kids ages 5–11.
Unfortunately, some of these Question: How can we trust the vac-
cine won’t impact a child’s development? The size of the child doesn’t matter
kids can get very sick and can have for this vaccine. What matters is the
long-lasting effects from their illness. Dr. Kass: It’s not biologically real-
istic for the vaccine to cause long-term maturity of the child’s immune system.
Some kids and teens have even died That’s different from medication.
from COVID-19–1,266 kids in the U.S. developmental problems in children.
We have lots of studies on other vac- Medicine needs to get to every cell in
as of Feb 10. It’s become one of the top the body, or a collection of cells in the
10 causes of death for kids age 5–11. cines to back this up. These vaccines
are extensively tested to ensure they body. Vaccines only need to get close to
And it’s hard to predict which kids may the part of the immune system that will
be at a higher risk of severe illness or don’t cause problems in a child’s devel-
opment. take them back to “protection head-
death. quarters” in the body to get analyzed.
But unlike vaccines, COVID-19 in-
Question: How can we trust that the fection can cause problems for children Kids’ immune systems don’t need as
vaccine works if infections are increas- for years after infection, like it does much of the COVID-19 vaccine to
ing? with adults. accomplish that.
Dr. Kass: The vaccine is giving your The choice is not between the vac- Question: What side effects should I
child’s body a head start in fighting the cine or nothing; the choice is between watch for after my child gets vaccinated?
virus. That’s the goal of the vaccine. the vaccine or a potentially severe
We know the vaccine decreases the disease. The vaccine is the only way we See Q&A, page 13
ISLAND COUNTY COVID RESPONSE COMMUNITY GUIDANCE PAGE 7
COVID-19 Vaccines
Common Worries and Facts
I’M WORRIED... FACT
The vaccine will give You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine.
me COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccines do not contain the virus that causes COVID-19.
I’M WORRIED... FACT
The vaccines are unsafe
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
and don’t work.
Vaccines were tested on tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials.
They met FDA’s rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and
manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization or
full approval. They were all found to be very good at preventing people from
getting sick with COVID-19.
I’M WORRIED... FACT
The Johnson & Johnson
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine does not contain parts of
vaccine contains fetal
tissue. fetuses or fetal cells.
The vaccine was created using the same technology as many other vaccines.
One piece of the vaccine is made in lab-grown copies of cells that originally
came from elective abortions that took place over 35 years ago. Since then,
the cell lines for these vaccines have been maintained in the lab. No further
sources of fetal cells are used to make these vaccines. This might be new
information for some people. However, vaccines for chickenpox, rubella and
hepatitis A are made in the same way.
I’M WORRIED... FACT
The COVID-19 vaccines
cause infertility or The vaccines are not known to interact with your reproductive
impotence. organs.
Your worries around reproductive health and vaccines are understandable.
Here is what we know: there is no scientific evidence that vaccines cause
infertility or impotence. When the vaccine enters your body, it works with
your immune system to create antibodies to fight the coronavirus. This
process is not known to interfere with your reproductive organs.
For more information, visit COVIDVaccineWA.org or call 1-800-525-0127,
then press #. Language assistance is available.
PAGE 8 ISLAND COUNTY COVID RESPONSE COMMUNITY GUIDANCE
I’M WORRIED... FACT
I don’t need the
You should still get vaccinated if you already had COVID-19.
vaccine if I already had
COVID-19. Data show it is uncommon to be re-infected with COVID-19 in the 90 days
after you were infected. That means you might have some protection from
COVID-19 (called natural immunity) for a little while. However, we don’t know
how long natural immunity lasts.
I’M WORRIED... FACT
The vaccines have
microchips that track The vaccines do not contain a microchip or a tracking device.
people. The vaccines only contain an active ingredient that helps your body create
antibodies to fight COVID-19, plus fats, salts, and sugars.
I’M WORRIED... FACT
COVID-19 vaccines are
unsafe for people who Medical experts in pregnancy and birth recommend the COVID-
are pregnant or 19 vaccine for people who are pregnant, lactating, or planning
breastfeeding. to get pregnant.
Data show the COVID-19 vaccines are safe during pregnancy. In fact, some
studies show that a vaccinated parent can even pass antibodies against COVID-
19 along to their baby through pregnancy and lactation. Pregnant people are at
risk for severe illness from COVID-19, including death. The vaccines are the
best protection.
I’M WORRIED... FACT
The COVID-19 vaccines
will change my DNA. COVID-19 vaccines do not change or affect your DNA.
All the vaccines available deliver instructions to our cells to start building
protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. The vaccine does not enter
the part of the cell where our DNA is kept. Instead, the vaccines work with our
body’s natural defenses to build immunity.
I’M WORRIED... FACT
I’ll get a blood clot after
getting vaccinated. The risk of getting blood clots is extremely low.
For example, the risk is much lower than the risk of getting blood clots from
taking birth control, which millions of women use every day. However, the
Washington State Department of Health (DOH) recommends you get an mRNA
COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) instead of the Johnson &
Johnson (J&J) vaccine due to the potential risk.
The J&J vaccine is still available if you aren’t able or willing to get an mRNA
vaccine. Talk to a health care provider about your risk.
DOH 820-200 January 2022
To request this document in another format, call 1-800-525-0127. Deaf or hard of
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ISLAND COUNTY COVID RESPONSE COMMUNITY GUIDANCE PAGE 9No. of COVID-19 cases in Washington state:
1,414,233 *
No. of COVID-19 Deaths in Washington
state:
11,522 *
No. of COVID-19 Deaths in Island County:
66 *
* As of Feb. 24, 2022
PAGE 10 ISLAND COUNTY COVID RESPONSE COMMUNITY GUIDANCEISLAND COUNTY COVID RESPONSE COMMUNITY GUIDANCE PAGE 11
Well-being of children during COVID studied
Last week, the Centers for Disease or unpredictable childcare, illness, identify a single reason for changes in
Control released two new reports financial hardship, and mental health mental health conditions during the
in MMWR that provide important concerns, might increase a child’s vul- pandemic.
insights on the health and well-being nerabilities. While extended time at home could
of children and adolescents during the Loss of a parent or caregiver, increase familial support for some
COVID-19 pandemic. increases in other challenges, and youth, it may have increased challenges
The first report looked at pediat- disruptions in daily routine due to the and stressors among others.
ric emergency department visits. The COVID-19 pandemic might have also These factors, as well as other
study found that overall pediatric increased a child’s behavioral health pandemic-related stressors that impact
emergency department visits decreased concerns and unhealthy coping behav- families (e.g., increases in parental
in 2020, 2021 and in January 2022 iors. mental health problems, parental sub-
compared with visits in 2019, while The second report examined chang- stance use, financial strain, and loss of a
COVID-19-related emergency depart- es in pediatric emergency department parent or caregiver), could have created
ment visits increased across all pan- visits for mental health conditions or increased the risk for mental health
demic years and among pediatric age and found that adolescent girls (12–17 conditions.
groups. years) accounted for the largest increas- Early identification and expanded
There were also increases in the es in the number and proportion of evidence-based prevention and inter-
weekly number and proportion of emergency department visits for mental vention strategies are critical to improv-
emergency department visits for certain health conditions in 2020, 2021, and in ing children’s mental health, especially
types of injuries, some chronic dis- January 2022 compared with 2019. among adolescent females who might
eases, and visits related to behavioral Weekly visits for eating and tic disor- have increased need. CDC recom-
health concerns, especially among older ders increased for females, and particu- mends increased awareness for health
children (5–11 years) and adolescents larly adolescent females (12–17 years), concerns among children and adoles-
(12–17 years). during 2020, 2021, and in January 2022. cents that could arise due to delayed
Factors affecting caregivers during The highly complex nature of indi- medical care and heightened emotional
the pandemic, including unavailable vidual experiences makes it difficult to distress.
PAGE 12 ISLAND COUNTY COVID RESPONSE COMMUNITY GUIDANCEFDA delays meeting to discuss request to authorize
Pfizer vaccine for children ages 6 Months to 4 years
On Feb. 11, the U.S. Food and sion as part of their usual scientific and protection to move forward with
Drug Administration was notified regulatory processes for COVID-19 authorizing the use of the vaccine in
by Pfizer that new data recently vaccines, according to the FDA. this age group.
emerged regarding its emergency use The FDA said it will provide an The FDA said its approach has
authorization request for the use of update on timing for the advisory always been to conduct a regulato-
the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vac- committee meeting once it receives ry review that’s responsive to the
cine in children 6 months through 4 additional data on a third dose in urgent public health needs created
years of age. this age group from the company’s by the pandemic, while adhering to
As part of its rolling submission, ongoing clinical trial and have an its rigorous standards for safety and
the company informed the FDA of opportunity to complete an updated effectiveness.
additional findings from its ongoing evaluation. Being able to begin evaluating
clinical trial. Since the early days of the pan- initial data has been useful in the
Based on the agency’s prelimi- demic, FDA said in a press release review of these vaccines, but at this
nary assessment, and to allow more that it has always followed the sci- time, they believe additional informa-
time to evaluate additional data, the ence in this ever-changing situation. tion regarding the ongoing evaluation
FDA determined that additional Given the recent omicron surge of a third dose should be considered.
information regarding the ongoing and the notable increase in hospi- The FDA said it will ensure the
evaluation of a third dose should be talizations in the youngest children data support effectiveness and safety
considered as part of their deci- to their highest levels during the before authorizing a COVID-19 vac-
sion-making for potential authoriza- pandemic so far, FDA officials said cine for use in our youngest children.
tion. they believe it is their responsibility In the meantime, the FDA said,
As a result, the FDA is postpon- as a public health agency to act with the best way to protect children,
ing the Vaccines and Related Biolog- urgency and consider all available including when they are at school or
ical Products Advisory Committee options, including requesting that the daycare, is to practice social distanc-
meeting originally scheduled for Feb. company provide them with initial ing and masking in accordance with
15. data on two doses from its ongoing public health recommendations, and
This delay will give the agency study. for their family members and care-
time to consider the additional data, al- The goal was to understand if givers to get vaccinated or receive a
lowing for a transparent public discus- two doses would provide sufficient booster dose when eligible.
Q&A: COVID vaccinations safe for children ages 5-11
Continued from page 7 COVID-19. Not vaccinating means you it may hurt for a very short period of
Dr. Kass: The little kids ages 5–11 are acting to not protect your children. time, but then they’re going to feel so
don’t seem to have many side effects I encourage parents to voice any po- proud that they got their vaccine and
after the vaccine. They may have a low tential concerns with their health care will be protecting themselves and the
fever or a headache, or some soreness provider. people they care about.
in the arm they got the shot in. But for For the appointment itself, bring
the most part, kids are fine to go right Question: How do you address something they can be distracted with
back to school and their day-to-day life. rumors your kid might be hearing about (like a favorite toy or something they
It’s really low drama. the vaccine from other kids? can watch on your phone). Bring a treat
Dr. Kass: The same way you would they can enjoy while they’re waiting af-
Question: How should you navigate address any misinformation: remind terwards, like a favorite snack. Provide
conversations with your partner if you them it’s not true. The child can share comfort. They may want to sit on your
don’t agree about vaccinating your child? their own experience getting the vac- lap, and that’s OK. They can also ask
Dr. Kass: This is really hard, and cine. They can also ask a trusted adult their health care provider any questions
I know it’s something a lot of families — like a parent or teacher — for help. on their mind.
are struggling with. Know that you’re The Meg Foundation for Pain has
not alone if this is something impacting Question: How can I comfort my great resources for kids who are afraid
your family. child if they are nervous about getting of needles.
But also remember, as a parent, your the vaccine? A lot of kids are actually surprised by
job is to protect your children. And Dr. Kass: We like to do a lot of work how little it hurts, since it’s such a small
vaccination is an incredibly power- and preparation. Show them your ex- amount.
ful way to protect your children from citement but be honest. Let them know Again, it’s very low drama.
ISLAND COUNTY COVID RESPONSE COMMUNITY GUIDANCE PAGE 13DON’T DELAY: TEST SOON AND TREAT EARLY
| COVID-19 |
If you are at high risk of
getting very sick from
COVID-19, and test positive,
treatment may be available.
Get tested as soon as possible
after your symptoms start.
Contact your healthcare
provider right away if your
result is positive.
Don’t delay. Treatment must
be started early to work.
cdc.gov/coronavirus
CS329478-A | February 6, 2022 10:26 AM
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