 What is the updated (bivalent) booster?
The bivalent booster is an updated booster that offers protection against both the original COVID-19 virus as well as the Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5.
Who is eligible for a bivalent booster?
One updated (bivalent) booster dose is recommended for:
- Everyone ages 5 years and older if it has been at least 2 months since your last dose.
- Children ages 6 months–4 years* who completed the Moderna primary series and if it has been at least 2 months since their last dose.
*There is no booster recommendation for children ages 6 months–4 years who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine primary series.
Do I need a second bivalent booster?
No. At this time, only one bivalent booster dose is recommended after completing a primary COVID-19 vaccination series.
Why do I need the updated booster?
Protection can wane over time. Staying up to date and getting the most recent COVID-19 vaccines will help to protect you from serious illness, hospitalization, and death.
To check eligibility and to find more information about staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, visit the CDC’s Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters page. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
To find a vaccination location near you, visit Vaccines.gov.
 The CDC recently launched a new website to help people find free COVID-19 testing sites. It is best to get tested if you:
- Are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19
- Have been in close contact with someone who has recently tested positive for COVID-19
The types of tests offered at individual locations may vary and can include PCR and/or rapid tests. Visit the Testing Locator find a location near you.
Read the CDC’s press release for more information.
 Turkey Tom may not make seasonal predictions like his friend Phil, but he does know what should be in a cold-weather car emergency kit. An emergency car kit should include:
- Jumper cables
- Flares or reflective triangle
- Ice scraper
- Car cell phone charger
- Blanket
- Map
- Cat litter or sand (for better tire traction)
With six more weeks of winter on the way, make sure you are prepared. Visit Ready.gov for more car safety tips.
 Did you know you can apply for WIC as soon as you have a positive pregnancy test? Good nutrition, starting with pregnancy, can provide the best possible start for babies and children to grow up strong and healthy. WIC can help your family stay healthy by not only providing healthy food, but also nutrition guidance, breastfeeding support, and more. If you have Medicaid or SNAP you may be eligible for WIC. Visit the Lake County Health Department’s WIC page to learn more.
American Heart Month
February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on your cardiovascular health! Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Most middle-aged and young adults have one or more risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or being a smoker or overweight. Having multiple risk factors increases your risk for heart disease.
Healthy behaviors can lower your heart disease risk. This in turn can prevent other serious chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and some kinds of cancer. Here are a handful of heart-healthy tips that you can apply to your every day to help protect your heart:
- Get regular physical activity
- Choose foods that are heart healthy
- Get enough quality sleep
- Aim for a healthy weight
- Manage your stress
Knowing your own risk factors for heart disease can help guide your lifestyle choices. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.
Visit the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to learn more about living a heart-healthy lifestyle.
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National Children’s Dental Health Month
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM). The 2023 theme NCDHM theme is “Brush, Floss, Smile”. It is important for children to develop healthy oral habits at a young age to give them a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Parents and caregivers can help their child develop healthy habits by:
- Brushing teeth two times a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily
- Eat healthy foods and limit sugary beverages
- See a dentist twice a year.
A child should see a dentist within six months of their first tooth appearance or by the age of one. Visit the CDC for more information and resources about children’s oral health. Additionally, the American Dental Association has fun activity pages for children in both English and Spanish.
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Where do I find information about...
Who can I contact to ask a question about...
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Lake County Health Department Services: Call (847) 377-8000
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COVID-19 Vaccines in Lake County: Contact the Lake County Health Department at AllVax@lakecountyil.gov
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COVID-19 in Illinois: Contact the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-889-3931 or DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV
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