Provider Resources WA

08/25/22 Health Advisory: Monkeypox and COVID-19 Update for Providers

| August 25, 2022
Pair of hands lathering soap over a steel sink

Requested actions Suspect monkeypox virus (MPV) infection in any patient who presents with 1 or more lesions that suggest MPV, regardless of the patient’s age, social history, gender or sexual identity. Several commercial labs, as well as Washington State Public Health Labs (PHL), now test for MPV. PHL updated its MPV specimen collection guidance: Preferred … 08/25/22 Health Advisory: Monkeypox and COVID-19 Update for Providers

07/28/22 Health Advisory: Novavax Available to Order

| July 28, 2022
Syringe in vial

Requested actions Be aware, Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is now available to order. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted it emergency use authorization (EUA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup approved. EUA covers a 2-dose primary series for people 18 years or older, including those with immune compromise. Booster … 07/28/22 Health Advisory: Novavax Available to Order

07/26/22 Health Advisory: Monkeypox Update

| July 27, 2022
Four people in scrubs and lab coats talking as seen from above.

We continue to monitor the monkeypox outbreak in Washington and the United States. Report possible monkeypox cases immediately upon suspicion, as Washington State Department of Health (DOH) requires. Call . We will help you complete an intake form and review exposure guidelines to evaluate close contacts. Monkeypox is rare and not often seen in the United States. It can cause a rash … 07/26/22 Health Advisory: Monkeypox Update

06/24/22 Health Advisory: Updated Monkeypox Guidance

| June 23, 2022
Scientists in lab using microscope

Requested actions Immediately report suspected monkeypox cases to Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Call (253) 649‑1412. Consider submitting a suspect monkeypox intake form to help us determine whether to test for monkeypox. Be aware, recent confirmed cases of monkeypox in the United States differ from the classic monkeypox presentation of previous outbreaks. To date, all United States … 06/24/22 Health Advisory: Updated Monkeypox Guidance

06/22/22 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Vaccine for Children as Young as 6 Months

| June 22, 2022
two babies in a pool on floaties

Be aware, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup concluded COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for children as young as 6 months. Available to children 6 months to 4 years old: Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, in a 3-dose primary series. Be sure to review dosage and vial labeling … 06/22/22 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Vaccine for Children as Young as 6 Months

06/08/22 Health Advisory: Routine childhood immunization rates down

| June 8, 2022

Requested actions Bring your child and adolescent patients’ vaccinations up to date at every opportunity. Contact families who missed well-child visits or childhood vaccinations and ask them to come in for an appointment. Explain to families why it’s important to keep children’s and adolescents’ vaccinations up to date. Review Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s … 06/08/22 Health Advisory: Routine childhood immunization rates down

05/24/22 Health Advisory: COVID-19 rebound after Paxlovid treatment

| May 24, 2022
close up of a line of prescription pill bottles

Requested actions Be aware, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory about COVID-19 rebound after Paxlovid treatment. Continue to offer Paxlovid for early-stage treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in people at high risk of severe disease. Be aware, providers have reported COVID-19 rebound—recurring symptoms or a new positive test after … 05/24/22 Health Advisory: COVID-19 rebound after Paxlovid treatment

05/24/22 Health Advisory: Monkeypox virus in non-endemic countries

| May 24, 2022
Tray of lab tubes with green and purple tops

Requested actions Be aware, monkeypox virus infections are occurring in non-endemic countries, including 1 case in the United States. Assess for alternative etiologies in conditions causing pox-like lesions—herpes simplex, syphilis, varicella, etc. Report suspected or confirmed monkeypox cases to the Health Department. Call (253) 649-1412. Background Since May 14, 2022, providers have reported clusters of … 05/24/22 Health Advisory: Monkeypox virus in non-endemic countries

05/20/22 Health Advisory: CDC Recommends 5-11 year olds get a Pfizer COVID-19 Booster

| May 20, 2022

Requested actions Be aware, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommend children 5–11 years old get a booster dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine 5 months after completing their primary series. The recommendation came after Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded its emergency use authorization (EUA) for Pfizer … 05/20/22 Health Advisory: CDC Recommends 5-11 year olds get a Pfizer COVID-19 Booster

05/19/22 Health Advisory: Severe Hepatitis of Unknown Cause in Children

| May 19, 2022

Requested actions Be aware cases of severe hepatitis are occurring in children in the United States and worldwide. Consider adenovirus testing for pediatric patients with hepatitis of unknown cause. Report suspected cases to the Health Department. Call (253) 649-1412. A suspected case is a child with elevated AST or ALT (>500 U/L) with hepatitis of … 05/19/22 Health Advisory: Severe Hepatitis of Unknown Cause in Children