Hi there,
As you are likely aware, Michigan and Oakland County is experiencing its fourth surge of increased COVID-19 cases. As witnessed on the Oakland County COVID-19 Dashboard, our seven-day average of daily cases has recently jumped. For example, on February 21 we reported a seven-day average of 68 cases, and almost two months later on April 15, we reported a seven-day average of 714 cases. Like other parts of the U.S., we are seeing the most cases in people under age 50 with increased prevalence in people under age 30.
This week, our weekly Vaccine Update video features Oakland County Executive David Coulter, Oakland County Medical Director, Dr. Russell Faust and myself. We speak about the recent uptick in cases and how vaccination and personal precautions can help this surge:
Vaccination efforts in Oakland County remain strong. The state’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard reports 804,603 doses have been given to Oakland County residents by all providers including 241,825 doses administered by Oakland County.
But this surge demonstrates we are not out of the woods yet. If a vaccine becomes available to you–get it! A COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help us get back to normal and keep you and others safe.
Encourage your loved ones to get vaccinated and follow precautions. We have included some tips below to help talk to others about vaccination.
In good health,
Leigh-Anne Stafford
Director, Health and Human Services
Encourage loved ones to get vaccinated during COVID-19 surge
Vaccination is an important tool to help stop the pandemic. Have discussions with your friends and family about vaccination to understand their perspective and encourage vaccination. Share the following key messages:
- COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
- They help protect people from getting sick or severely ill with COVID-19 and might also help protect people around them.
- People who have been fully vaccinated can start to do some things that they had stopped doing because of the pandemic.
- This includes not being quarantined for 14 days if exposed to someone with COVID-19.
- Vaccines are becoming more widely available and may be easier to obtain.
- You may have mild side effects after vaccination, but these are normal.
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Find credible vaccine information. When you come across COVID-19 information, cross-check with CDC.gov.
- Offer to help your family member or friend make a vaccination appointment, register for a waitlist or if needed, go with them to the appointment.
Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine information
On April 13, CDC and FDA issued a joint statement on the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine. As of April 12, more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson (J & J) vaccine have been administered in the U.S. CDC and FDA are reviewing data involving six woman under age 50 who developed rare blood clots after receiving the J&J vaccine in the U.S. These adverse events appear to be extremely rare.
Out of an abundance of caution, a pause in use of the vaccine was issued. The CDC convened the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to further review and assess these cases. The FDA is also investigating these cases. The pause is recommended until this process is complete.
Oakland County has not cancelled or rescheduled any appointments because of this pause, other vaccine types were available to proceed with previously scheduled clinics as planned.
People who received the J & J vaccine and develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider. Health care providers are asked to report adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.
The good news is the system is working. It’s important to be responsive to any safety concern. The CDC and FDA have many systems in place to find, report and investigate any adverse events-even those that could turn out to be unrelated to vaccines.
Vaccination after having COVID-19
CDC recommends vaccination even if you have been infected with COVID-19 after full recovery.
Experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again or spreading the virus after recovering from COVID-19. This is called natural immunity. Even if you have already recovered, it is possible - although rare - that you could be infected with the virus again.
If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before vaccination. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure what treatments you received.
Learn more about why getting vaccinated is a safer way to build protection than getting infected.
OaklandCountyVaccine.com is the best place to receive the latest information.
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