Provider Resources WA

07/28/22 Health Advisory: Novavax Available to Order

| July 28, 2022
Syringe in vial

Requested actions Be aware, Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is now available to order. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted it emergency use authorization (EUA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup approved. EUA covers a 2-dose primary series for people 18 years or older, including those with immune compromise. Booster … 07/28/22 Health Advisory: Novavax Available to Order

07/26/22 Health Advisory: Monkeypox Update

| July 27, 2022
Four doctors talking as seen from above. Two with white coats and 2 in scrubs.

We continue to monitor the monkeypox outbreak in Washington and the United States. Report possible monkeypox cases immediately upon suspicion, as Washington State Department of Health (DOH) requires. Call . We will help you complete an intake form and review exposure guidelines to evaluate close contacts. Monkeypox is rare and not often seen in the United States. It can cause a rash … 07/26/22 Health Advisory: Monkeypox Update

06/24/22 Health Advisory: Updated Monkeypox Guidance

| June 23, 2022
Scientists in lab using microscope

Requested actions Immediately report suspected monkeypox cases to Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Call (253) 649‑1412. Consider submitting a suspect monkeypox intake form to help us determine whether to test for monkeypox. Be aware, recent confirmed cases of monkeypox in the United States differ from the classic monkeypox presentation of previous outbreaks. To date, all United States … 06/24/22 Health Advisory: Updated Monkeypox Guidance

06/22/22 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Vaccine for Children as Young as 6 Months

| June 22, 2022
two babies in a pool on floaties

Be aware, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup concluded COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for children as young as 6 months. Available to children 6 months to 4 years old: Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, in a 3-dose primary series. Be sure to review dosage and vial labeling … 06/22/22 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Vaccine for Children as Young as 6 Months

06/08/22 Health Advisory: Routine childhood immunization rates down

| June 8, 2022

Requested actions Bring your child and adolescent patients’ vaccinations up to date at every opportunity. Contact families who missed well-child visits or childhood vaccinations and ask them to come in for an appointment. Explain to families why it’s important to keep children’s and adolescents’ vaccinations up to date. Review Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s … 06/08/22 Health Advisory: Routine childhood immunization rates down

05/12/22 Health Advisory: FDA Limits Use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine.

| May 12, 2022
Syringe in vial

Requested actions Background FDA limited the authorized use of J&J to people age 18 years and older: This decision came after FDA analyzed, evaluated and investigated reported cases of TTS after getting J&J. TTS is rare and includes potentially life-threatening blood clots in combination with low levels of blood platelets. Symptoms typically start 1–2 weeks … 05/12/22 Health Advisory: FDA Limits Use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine.

Pertussis Fact Sheet

| October 1, 2018
Stethoscope on child's back

To report a confirmed or suspect case of pertussis, complete the or call . Overview Pertussis is common and very contagious. It is caused by Bordetella pertussis. The bacteria infect cilia in the upper respiratory tract. Early symptoms are mild, like the common cold. Patients often experience violent coughing fits (paroxysms). These can be followed by … Pertussis Fact Sheet

Hepatitis A Fact Sheet

| June 23, 2017
Gloved hand squeeze bicep while giving a shot.

Overview Transmission: Fecal-oral. Incubation Period: Average 28-30 days (range 15-50 days). Symptoms: Anorexia, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, followed by jaundice. Severity of illness increases with age. Infectious Period: 14 days prior to onset of jaundice to seven days after onset of jaundice. Infants can excrete virus in the stool for longer periods of time. Epidemiology: … Hepatitis A Fact Sheet

Health Advisory: Zika Testing

| May 30, 2017

Action Requested Know how to order appropriate Zika virus testing through commercial laboratories. Background Because testing for Zika virus is now widely available through commercial laboratories, testing for Zika virus at Washington State Public Health Laboratories is now limited to: Patients for whom cost is a barrier to testing. Infants with possible congenital exposure to … Health Advisory: Zika Testing

Hand Hygiene In Healthcare Settings

| December 27, 2014
Handwashing over stainless steel sink.

What is hand hygiene? Hand hygiene refers to the use of hand washing with soap and water or alcohol hand sanitizer (60% alcohol or greater) in order to reduce infection rates, reduce transmission of antimicrobial resistant organisms and stop outbreaks of communicable disease. Why is hand hygiene important? When should I use hand hygiene? How … Hand Hygiene In Healthcare Settings