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First and foremost, my heart and thoughts remain with Oxford. Not a day has passed, that we here at Oakland County Health Division, are not thinking about the victims, their families, friends, educators, and our full community. We are here to help anyone struggling with the difficult emotions associated with the tragedy. Visit our Oakland Cares site for resources and assistance to support those in need.
Like many of you, news notifications are also filling with reports about a new COVID-19 variant detected - Omicron. We must remain vigilant with precautions. New COVID-19 cases continue to climb in Oakland County with 14,335 new confirmed cases from Nov. 22-Dec. 9. The best way to prevent the spread of this new variant and reduce these cases is to get vaccinated, get a booster if you are 16+ and eligible, and wear a mask in indoor public settings or in crowded environments.
Boosters are now approved for anyone over 16, six months past your second vaccination if you received a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series and two months past if you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. For those not yet fully vaccinated: get vaccinated today. This includes both children over age 5 and adults.
Getting this protection now will help keep you safer during the holiday season, can help decrease the virus from circulating and lead to fewer future mutations.
We are now giving second doses to the kids we began vaccinating weeks ago when younger children first became authorized. This group will be considered fully vaccinated before the end of the month, just in time for some of the holiday season and a return to school in January.
In vaccination coverage news, 77.1% of those 12 years and older and 28.5% 5-11 years old have received at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Visit the state’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard and the Oakland County Vaccine Hub for even more vaccination data.
In good health,
Leigh-Anne Stafford, Director, Health and Human Services
Precautions can help slow emerging new variants
On Nov. 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a Variant of Concern and has named it Omicron. CDC continuously monitors variants and reliably detects new variants in this country quickly.
Viruses constantly change through mutation. Some variants emerge and disappear while others persist. Some variants spread more easily and quickly than other variants, which may lead to more cases of COVID-19. An increase in the number of cases will put more strain on healthcare resources, lead to more hospitalizations, and potentially more deaths.
Top things to know
- New variants of the virus are expected. Taking measures to reduce the spread of infection, including getting a COVID-19 vaccine, can slow the emergence of new variants.
- All COVID-19 tests detect known variants, but they will not tell you which variant you have.
- Vaccines reduce your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
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COVID-19 vaccines protect against Delta and other known variants. Although we don’t yet know how effective the vaccines will be against new variants that may arise.
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Everyone 5 years and older can protect themselves from COVID-19 by getting fully vaccinated. Booster doses are encouraged for those who are 16 years and older.
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Following other prevention strategies will reduce virus transmission to help limit variants:
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Wearing a mask in public indoor settings
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Physically distancing from others
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Getting tested for COVID-19, especially before gatherings
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Self-isolating properly if you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19
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Washing your hands frequently
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Covering your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze
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Following recommendations for traveling
FAQ-My child is about to turn 12. Which COVID vaccine should they get?
It is recommended to get your child vaccinated as soon as possible rather than waiting for your child to turn 12. Your child will get the dose of Pfizer vaccine that is recommended for their age on the day of vaccination. Unlike many medications, COVID-19 vaccine dosage does not vary by patient weight.
Adolescents ages 12 years and older receive the same dose as adults. Children ages 5 through 11 years receive a slightly smaller age-appropriate dose. The lower dose is only authorized for 5- to 11-year-olds. If a child turns from 11 to 12 years of age in between their first and second dose, the second dose should be the Pfizer vaccine for people 12 years and older.
Week at a Glance-Health Division upcoming vaccination sites
Check our website for information about who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
School-Aged Vaccination Clinics
Open to anyone age 5 through 18. Anyone under 18 must have a parent/guardian present. Appointments strongly recommended at our Get Vaccinated page or 1-800-848-5533 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.).
Saturday, Dec. 11
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Clarkston High School, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 12
- Novi Woods Elementary, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 13
- Lakeland High School, 4 - 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 14
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West Bloomfield High School, 4 - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 15
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Southfield High School, 4 - 6:30 p.m.
Community Vaccination Clinics
Monday-Friday
- Pontiac-Oakland County North Oakland Health Center, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., age 16+
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Southfield-Oakland County South Oakland Health Center, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., age 16+
- Appointments strongly recommended
Tuesday, Dec. 14
- Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Pontiac, noon-4 p.m., Walk-in only, age 16+
- Welcome Missionary Baptist Church, Pontiac, 8 a.m.-noon, Walk-in only, age 16+
Monday, Dec. 20
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Waterford Oaks Activity Center, 2-6 p.m., appointments strongly recommended, age 5+
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Anyone under 18 must have a parent/guardian present.
Our website, OaklandCountyVaccine.com is the best place to receive the latest information.
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