December 7, 2022

National Influenza Vaccination Week 2022
is December 5-9

Updated COVID-19 Boosters Available for Kids Age 5-11 Available Now

Everyone 5 and older can now receive the updated COVID-19 booster, specifically made to protect against the latest COVID-19 variants. The new booster is available for kids 5 to 11 in North Carolina following the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation.

The updated booster is referred to as a bivalent vaccine, as it targets both the original coronavirus strain and the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants. As of mid-September, these variants made up approximately 80% of COVID-19 cases in North Carolina. Everyone 5 and older should get the updated COVID-19 booster two months after they finish their primary series or any booster dose.

Information Regarding Anticipated COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine for Children Aged 6 months through 4 years

If authorized by FDA, CDC anticipates a recommendation for bivalent COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 6 months to 4 years to be released early to mid-December. Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine products expected to be under consideration in December include:

• The Bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children aged 6 months through 4 years.
• The Bivalent Moderna vaccine for children aged 6 months through 4 years.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, testing and treatments, or to find locations to get a COVID-19 and flu vaccine, visit MySpot.nc.gov or contact the North Carolina COVID-19 Vaccine Help Center by phone at 888-675-4567.   

If you’re able to schedule both your flu shot and your COVID-19 booster for the same appointment, it’s safe to do so.

Prevent Food Poisoning During the Holidays

Feasting with family is part of many holiday celebrations. Follow these tips to help prevent food poisoning, or foodborne illness, during the holidays.

• Keep foods separated. Keep meat, chicken, turkey, seafood, and eggs separate from all other foods at the grocery store and in the refrigerator. Prevent juices from meat, chicken, turkey, and seafood from dripping or leaking onto other foods by keeping them in containers or sealed plastic bags. Store eggs in their original carton in the main compartment of the refrigerator.
• Cook food thoroughly. Use a food thermometer to make sure meat, chicken, turkey, seafood, and eggs have been cooked to a safe internal temperature to kill germs. Roasts, chops, steaks, and fresh ham should rest for 3 minutes after you remove them from the oven or grill.
• Keep food out of the “danger zone.” Bacteria can grow rapidly in the danger zone between 40°F and 140°F. After food is prepared, keep hot food hot and cold food cold. Refrigerate or freeze perishable food like meat, chicken, turkey, seafood, eggs, cut fruit, cooked rice, and leftovers within 2 hours (1 hour if food is exposed to temperatures above 90°F, such as in a hot car). The temperature in your refrigerator should be set at 40°F or below and the freezer at 0°F or below.
• Use pasteurized eggs for dishes containing raw eggs. Salmonella and other harmful germs can live on both the outside and inside of normal-looking eggs. Many holiday favorites contain raw eggs, including eggnog, tiramisu, hollandaise sauce, and Caesar dressing. Always use pasteurized eggs when making these and other foods made with raw eggs.
• Do not eat raw dough or batter. Dough and batter made with flour or eggs can contain harmful germs, such as E. coli and Salmonella. Do not taste or eat raw dough or batter that is meant to be baked or cooked. This includes dough or batter for cookies, cakes, pies, biscuits, pancakes, tortillas, pizza, or crafts. Do not let children taste raw dough or batter or play with dough at home or in restaurants. Some companies and stores offer edible cookie dough that uses heat-treated flour and pasteurized eggs or no eggs. Read the label carefully to make sure the dough is meant to be eaten without baking or cooking.
• Thaw your turkey safely. Thaw turkey in the refrigerator, in a sink of cold water (change the water every 30 minutes), or in the microwave. Do not thaw turkey or other foods on the counter. A turkey must thaw at a safe temperature to prevent harmful germs from growing rapidly. Learn more about preparing turkey safely.
• Wash your hands with soap and water during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:
  • Before, during, and after preparing food
  • Before eating food
  • After handling pet food or pet treats or touching pets
  • After using the toilet
  • After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
  • After touching garbage
  • Before and after caring for someone who is sick
  • Before and after treating a cut or wound
  • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Please be aware that the Chapel Hill vaccine clinic is by appointment only. The Hillsborough vaccine clinic located at Bonnie B. Davis Environment & Agricultural center has been CLOSED effective 11/30/2022.

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.

Chapel Hill
Southern Human Services Center
2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:30am - 4:30pm
Appointments only
Please call 919-913-8088 for appointment information.
***Ages 6 months and up.
***Moderna, J&J, Novavax, and Pfizer vaccines are available.

Hillsborough
Bonnie B. Davis Environment & Agricultural Center vaccine CLOSED November 30, 2022

North Carolina COVID-19 Cases

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 3,286,948 COVID-19 cases, 27,533 deaths and 656 hospitalizations. 67% of North Carolina's population is up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination.

There are currently 36,870 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 151 deaths in Orange County.

Orange County COVID-19 vaccinations:
Percentage of Population Vaccinated with at least One Dose: 82%
Percentage of Population Vaccinated with Two Doses or one Dose J&J: 79%
Percentage of Population Vaccinated with One New Booster Dose: 32% 

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 the Orange County Health Department’s Public Information Officer at: healthpio@orangecountync.gov.

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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