The CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration say that an increased risk of stroke from COVID vaccines is "very unlikely." The concerns about an increased risk began to surface last week when the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD), a CDC real-time safety monitoring system, flagged that Pfizer's updated vaccine may be linked to stroke in older adults. However, the CDC and the FDA compared the alert to data from other monitoring sources and have not found similar results in any other dataset.
In a statement the CDC said, "Although the totality of the data currently suggest that is very unlikely that the signal in VSD represents a true clinical risk, we believe it is important to share this information with the public, as we have in the past, when one of our monitoring systems detects a signal. The CDC and FDA will continue to evaluate additional data from these and other vaccine safety systems."
Neither the CDC nor the FDA is recommending any changes in COVID-19 vaccination practice and both agencies say that all people should get vaccinated and keep current with booster shots. If you are unvaccinated or are not up-to-date with your boosters, call the KCHD at (616) 632-7200 to make your appointment.
Here is an opportunity for you to get free COVID-19 tests sent directly to your door. After a brief hiatus, the federal government is again making four COVID-19 test kits available to every U.S. household.
To get your free COVID-19 tests, click here or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
The availability of the new tests comes amid a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases that began to emerge after the Thanksgiving Holiday. Testing remains an important way to help slow the transmission of the virus.
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There are a few days left to pick up a free radon test kit! January is Radon Action Month which is a good time to learn more about radon and to test your home. The kits are available Monday through Friday until Feb. 1 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the KCHD’s main clinic location at 700 Fuller Avenue NE, Grand Rapids. To learn more, click here.
An Analysis of Infant Death in Kent County
The death of an infant brings unfathomable pain to a family and snuffs out a tiny life before it has gotten the chance to get started in this world. A major effort at the Kent County Health Department has always been to address infant mortality, not only as a public health issue, but also as an indicator of overall health in our county. In order to have interventions that are targeted and effective, it is necessary to know the causes and contributors to infant mortality that are specific to our county. That is the role of our Fetal Infant Mortality Review Program.
For the past two years, the Health Department has been leading a group of community partners in data collection, evaluation, and analysis of infant mortality. This work has been funded through the Ready By Five Early Childhood Millage, and Marissa Brown, BSN, RN, has been leading this important charge. We are proud to announce that the first publication of the Kent County Fetal Infant Mortality Review Program is now available. The data in this report shines a bright light on the demographics, causes, contributors, and includes recommendations for improvements that should help reduce infant death as a whole and decrease the disparities that persist.
February is the month for hearts. Valentine's Day is all about showing your special someone how much you care. While many of us will do that with cards and flowers, the World Health Organization, the CDC, and the American Heart Association want you to use February to think about your heart health.
Cardiovascular disease is the largest cause of death in the U.S. and many of these deaths could be prevented by addressing such lifestyle causes as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.
High blood pressure, long known as "the silent killer," is the leading cause for cardiovascular disease and stroke. According to the CDC, nearly half of all Americans have high blood pressure and yet is it estimated that less than 1 in 4 of these people have taken steps to get their blood pressure under control. According to the CDC, high cholesterol levels can double the risk of having a heart attack. LDL, the "bad" cholesterol, can build up in people's arteries and interrupt blood flow to the heart and other organs. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can be dramatically improved with a few simple lifestyle modifications such as eating a healthy and low fat, low sodium, and low cholesterol diet, being physically active, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Also, though on the decline in recent years, tobacco use, especially smoking, is still a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. If you are a smoker, the single best thing you can do for your overall health is to quit.
The American Heart Association has compiled a list healthy Valentine's Day activities that you can use to jump start a heart healthy lifestyle. You can see that list here.
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It is one of the busiest times of the year for the Environmental Health Division as it prepares for food service license renewals. For the past two years annual license fees were waived when the Kent County Board of Commissioners voted to approve funding to cover the fees to help offset costs incurred due to the pandemic. The waivers have been discontinued; therefore, license holders will be required to pay the 2023-2024 licensing fees.
Renewal application forms have also been updated by the State and look a little different than years prior. The renewal forms will be sent to facilities at the end of March with a payment deadline of April 30, 2023. Environmental Health staff will continue working with facilities to assist in the licensing and renewal process throughout the next couple of months. Any food operator can contact KCEHmail@kentcountymi.gov or call 616-632-7100 with any questions.
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 Are you looking for a more than just a job? A career with Kent County offers an opportunity to make a difference through service to your community, competitive pay and benefits, while working in a great value-based culture. Start your journey with Kent County today by clicking here.
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