The Centers for Disease Control and Preventionadvises pregnant women and women who are thinking about becoming pregnant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Department of Health and Human Services will require Indian Health Service and National Institutes of Health employees who interact with patients, and members of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated their guidance for state Medicaid, CHIP, and BHP programs to prepare for when the appropriate determination is made to transition out of the Public Health Emergency.
The Food and Drug Administrationapproved an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose for immunocompromised individuals. CMS announced that eligible Medicare beneficiaries can receive this dose without extra cost.
Due to increasing COVID-19 rates, North Texas hospitals are reporting low bed capacity and no available ICU beds for children.
Starting August 16th, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) plans to have an updated ordering timeline for COVID-19 vaccines. Questions can be sent to COVID19VacShipments@dshs.texas.gov.
DSHS will deploy over 2,500 medical personnel to hospitals to combat the rising cases of COVID-19 in Texas.
DSHS advises hospitals to reach out to Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) taking part in the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) to organize patient transfers to facilities outside of their RAC. Contact information for the HPP RACs can be found here.
A HIPPA-compliant, free app -- Pulsara, assists hospitals with starting patient transfers and helps support capacity pressures due to COVID-19.
Instructions for Texas hospitals to submit their State of Texas Assistance Request for staffing can be found here.
Until October 12th, public, nonprofit, and tribal organizations can apply for American Rescue Plan Act grants to increase access to COVID-19 testing, vaccine, and food assistance through food banks and rural health care services.
