September 14, 2022

What are the New COVID-19 Bivalent Boosters?

A bivalent vaccine is available now. This updated formula covers two variants: the original Wuhan virus and Omicron (BA.5). 

• Pfizer: This is a 30 microgram vaccine, which is the same dosage as the original series. Pfizer sought approval for those aged 12 and older. But they did confirm they are working on a booster for ages 6 months to 11 years. CDC confirmed this in their fall planning guide, saying that we should expect a booster for younger kiddos following the adults.
• Moderna: This booster is a 50 microgram vaccine, which is the same dosage as the original booster and half the dosage of the original Moderna series. They are seeking approval for ages 18 years and older.

• You received a booster, a second dose of the initial series of vaccine, or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least TWO months ago.

It is safe to get your COVID-19 Updated Booster and Your Flu Shot at the Same Time! 

Proposed Well Rules Changes

• Environmental Health Office at 131 W. Margaret Lane, Suite 100, Hillsborough
• Online at: https://bit.ly/2022wellrules
• Public comment is welcome and may be sent to Environmental Health Office at 131 W. Margaret Lane, Suite 100, Hillsborough or by using the email link at this page: https://www.orangecountync.gov/641/Environmental-Health

September is Suicide Prevention Month

From 2016 to 2020, 206 Orange and Durham County community members lost their lives to suicide. Throughout the month of September, the Orange County Health Department and Durham County Department of Public Health will host events to support survivors, to share how to recognize the signs and symptoms of suicide, and to teach what to do if a loved one is in danger. Events include:

Adult Mental Health First Aid Training for the Community: On Friday, September 16^th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Whitted Human Services Center at 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough. This training is for community members, family members, friends, students and other people who have been affected by suicide or want to prevent suicide. The training will cover common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance abuse challenges as well as how to connect people with help. The training is free, and lunch is included. Please register at this link: https://www.orangecountync.gov/MHFA
 
Adult Mental Health First Aid Training for Professional Partners: On Friday, September 23^rd from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Whitted Human Services Center at 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough. This training is for employers, police officers, hospital staff, first responders, public health workers, local government staff, and school employees who want to learn to identify, understand, and respond to the signs of mental health and substance use challenges. The training is free, and lunch is included. Please register at this link: https://www.orangecountync.gov/MHFA-Partners
 
A Path for Hope--Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk: On Thursday, September 29^th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at Leigh Farm Park located at 370 Leigh Farm Road, Durham NC 27707. The event is hosted by Orange County Health Department, Durham County Department of Public Health, Alliance Health, Insight Humans Services and Healthy Carolinians of Orange County. Prior to the walk, community members will gather to hear featured speaker, Rwenshaun Miller, who believes that mental wellness begins with a conversation. Miller is an award-winning psychotherapist whose personal mission is to shift our society into one that acknowledges, addresses, and treats mental health challenges. 
FLYER: English, Spanish

To donate shoes or for questions about the events, email Willa Robinson Allen at wrobinson@dconc.gov  for Durham County or Ashley Rawlinson at arawlinson@orangecountync.gov for Orange County or call (919) 245-2440.

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International Overdose Awareness Day

International Overdose Awareness Day takes place annually on August 31st. There were many events around the Orange County to remember those lost to overdose, and to reflect on how we can support those in grief and those in recovery.  Orange County's Criminal Justice Resource Department held a candle lighting ceremony and hosted speakers at an event at Peace and Justice Plaza in Chapel Hill. The speakers acknowledged overdose as a public health issue, talked about work to prevent overdose through harm reduction, and held space for processing the grief and loss we feel for family and friends lost to overdose.

Link to resources: https://www.orangecountync.gov/2958/Overdose-Awareness-Day-Resources

"More than 100,000 people across the country died of overdoses between April 2020 and April 2021. Over that period, the nationwide overdose death rate rose 27 percent.  In North Carolina, it grew by 37 percent."
Source: https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2021/12/02/drug-overdoses-a-nationwide-problem-worse-in-north-carolina/

Monkeypox Update

If an Orange County community member has been in contact with a confirmed case of monkeypox or are experiencing symptoms, they should contact their primary care provider or the local health department. OCHD may be reached at (919) 245-2478.

ELIGIBILITY FOR THE MONKEYPOX VACCINE
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) determines the eligibility criteria for the monkeypox vaccine. A person is eligible if they self-identify as:

1. Anyone who had close contact in the past two weeks with someone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox; or
2. Gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, or transgender individuals, who are sexually active; or 
3. People who have had sexual contact with gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, or transgender individuals in the past 90 days; or
4. People living with HIV, or taking medication to prevent HIV (PrEP), or who were diagnosed with syphilis in the past 90 days.

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Vaccines are free, and no ID is required! If you are coming for your second dose, or a booster please bring your vaccination card with the record of your previous doses. Visit our COVID-19 Vaccine page for the most up-to-date information: www.orangecountync.gov/getyourshot.

Ages 6 months and up can be vaccinated! To make an appointment call (919) 913-8088 or visit https://takemyshot.nc.gov.

Chapel Hill
Southern Human Services Center
2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:30am - 4:30pm
Appointments only.
***Ages 6 months and up.
***Moderna, J&J, Novavax, and Pfizer vaccines are available.

Hillsborough
Bonnie B. Davis Environment & Agricultural Center
1020 US Hwy 70 W., Hillsborough, NC
Friday and Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Appointments encouraged but walk-ins also accepted. 
***Ages 6 months and up.
***Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are available.

Free COVID-19 Testing 

VIEW THE CALENDAR

North Carolina COVID-19 Cases

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 3,141,302 COVID-19 cases, 26,365 deaths and 1,074 hospitalizations. 66% of North Carolina's population is up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination.

There are currently 35,215 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 146 deaths in Orange County.

Orange County COVID-19 vaccinations:
Percentage of Population Vaccinated with at least One Dose: 81%
Percentage of Population Vaccinated with Two Doses or one Dose J&J: 78%
Percentage of Population Vaccinated with One Booster/ Additional Dose: 60% 

For more information regarding live updates (NCDHHS updates the site every day around noon), please visit the NCDHHS website. 

Orange County Health Department also has a COVID-19 dashboard webpage, with information on COVID-19 data in the county. 

More information may be found at www.orangecountync.gov/coronavirus

Health Department Locations

Contact Information

If you are an individual or a medical practice with questions about COVID-19, call the Orange County Health Department at (919) 913-8088 weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Spanish and other languages spoken.

Contact Kristin Prelipp, the Orange County Health Department’s Public Information Officer at: kprelipp@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2462.

Orange County Health Department:
Web: www.orangecountync.gov/coronavirus
Phone: 919-245-2400
Facebook: Orange County Health Department
Instagram: OrangeHealthNC
Twitter: Orange Health NC
Youtube: OCHDNC

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