Jackson County Health Department Weekly Update for Oct. 8, 2021

(October 8, 2021 5:01 PM)  The Jackson County Health Department has released the weekly update:

INFLUENZA VACCINES:  Flu season is approaching and now is a good time to make plans for receiving an annual influenza vaccine.  According to the CDC, persons can receive a flu shot and COVID vaccine at the same time.  While many pharmacies and health care providers provide flu vaccines, you may also be able to receive a flu shot at the health department.  To check on availability or schedule an appointment for COVID-19 and/or Flu vaccines please call 517-788-4468.

Persons eligible for a flu shot from the Jackson County Health Department are:

• Children 6 months and older or 8 years and below who have not had 2 flu vaccines in one season.
• Some Medicare Recipients (please call ahead to check on plan coverage)
• Adult Medicaid
• Flu shots available to the first 20 not insured, indigenous and Alaskan native who call to register and keep their appointment.  (please call ahead to check for availability)
• Note:  Privately insured persons should check with their health care provider or a local pharmacy for the flu vaccine.

REPORTING OF PROBABLE CASES:  On Wednesday, October 6, 2021 the Jackson County Health DepartmentCoronavirus webpage began reporting probable COVID-19 cases in our data.

COVID-19 cases are classified as either confirmed or probable.  What’s the difference? 

• Confirmed – Throughout the pandemic, an individual has had to receive a positive result from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to be counted as a confirmed COVID-19 case.  These are the tests where a testing site uses a nasal swab to collect a sample and then sends it to a laboratory for analysis. 
• Probable – Other types of tests, such as rapid antigen tests are becoming more available and more common.  Entities such as schools, nursing homes, and urgent care clinics may use these tests and are required to report the results to the state.  These cases are recorded as probable. Another scenario that can result in a probable case, is when there is an epidemiologic link.  If someone tests positive with a PCR test and one of their close contacts develops the same symptoms, but has not been tested, they can be counted as a probable case.   This information is discovered when talking with a positive case about their contacts and has been used especially during times when testing capacity was limited. 

If a probable case takes a subsequent PCR test and the result is positive, the case is then subtracted from the probable column and added to the confirmed case count.  Probable cases are also included in the reported death and recovered numbers on the webpage.  As other test types have increased, the number of probable cases has also increased. As we look to accurately assess the level of community spread, the county numbers of positive and probable cases provide valuable information and will now be included in the county numbers posted online. 

COVID VACCINE:  This week the state reported that 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Michigan.  This equates to 68.3% of those 16 and older have gotten at least one dose of vaccine.  This is a milestone bringing us closer to the 70% vaccination rate goal.  According to the Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard, Jackson County’s vaccination rate is 59.4%.

BOOSTER DOSE CLINIC:  Napoleon Township and Brown’s Advanced Care Pharmacy will be holding a drive through Pfizer booster dose clinic at the Napoleon Fire Department, 6755 Brooklyn Rd. in Napoleon on Friday, October 15 from 2-7 pm.  Appointments can be scheduled through SignUpGenius.

BOOSTER DOSES:  The FDA, CDC, and MDHHS recommend the following groups should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series:

• People 65 years and older and residents aged 18 and older in long-term care settings.
• People aged 50 through 64 with certain underlying medical conditions.

The following groups may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series based on their individual benefits and risks:

• People aged 18 through 49 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 due to certain underlying medical conditions.
• People aged 18 through 64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting.

• • Per CDC, occupations at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission include frontline essential workers and health care workers including:

• First responders (health care workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff).
• Education staff (teachers, support staff, daycare workers).
• Food and agriculture workers.
• Manufacturing workers.
• Corrections workers.
• U.S. Postal Service workers.
• Public transit workers.
• Grocery store workers.

This list could be updated in the future.

At this time, these guidelines only apply to those who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.  Requests for approval of boosters for other vaccines are being reviewed and we expect boosters will eventually be available for more people.

3^rd DOSE:  We are providing a 3^rd dose to individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.  See who is currently eligible for a 3^rd dose of vaccine for more details.  A 3^rd dose is currently authorized only for those who meet the eligibility criteria and received either the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines at least 28 days ago.  

VACCINATION OPPORTUNITIES:  COVID-19 vaccines are available during the clinic hours of 8:00 -11:30 am and 1:00 – 4:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at the Jackson County Health Department at 1715 Lansing Ave.  Whether you need a 1^st or 2^nd dose, are immunocompromised and eligible for a 3^rd dose, or qualify for a booster dose you can call 517-788-4468 to schedule an appointment.  Walk-ins are also accepted.  Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available.  For information on other locations administering vaccine in Jackson County see www.vaccines.gov

Homebound individuals who are interested in a COVID-19 vaccine, please contact Disability Connections at (517) 998-3084, Region 2 Area on Aging at (517) 592-1976 or the Jackson County Department on Aging at (517) 788-4364.   To find out the latest about vaccines from the Jackson County Health Department call the vaccine information line at 517-817-4469.

LOCAL MONITORING: Check out the Jackson County Health Department webpage for the latest COVID information including the daily number of cases in the county.  It is updated Monday-Friday by 12 noon.  On Mondays, a county map is uploaded to show areas where COVID cases have increased throughout the county.  An Epicurve graph provides some historical data and shows the peaks and lulls of COVID infections in Jackson County.

The CDC and the State of Michigan both provide a variety of charts, graphs, and maps that show the trend in cases at the national, state, and county level.  Currently, most areas in the country fall into the classification of having a high level of community transmission.  Checking these resources, and the local websites in the area you will be traveling to, can help you assess risk, find out what requirements and restrictions are in place, and assist with making decisions about what are safe and unsafe activities.

JCHD UPDATES: Clinics are open for in person services. Most clinics require an appointment, so please check the website or call ahead to verify if you need an appointment for the service you are seeking.  Masks are required regardless of vaccination status in small office areas and exam rooms. (Please remember to bring your own or you will be provided with one.)

This is done in order to protect our immunocompromised clients such as children or other vulnerable populations who may be at high risk of infection.

If you still need your COVID-19 vaccine, you can come to the immunization clinic and get your vaccine of choice! Call and make an appointment at (517) 768-4468.

If you are EXPERIENCING ANY UPPER RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS (COUGH, DIFFICULTY BREATHING, ETC) OR FEVER, WE ASK THAT YOU RESCHEDULE ANY APPOINTMENT YOU

HAVE scheduled.  If necessary, you may want to schedule an appointment with your physician or call 911, if it becomes life threatening.

Data:  Jackson County Health Department reports the following data as of September 28, 2021. This information is also available on the Michigan Vaccine Dashboard which is updated on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays each week by 3:00 p.m. Data now reflects the addition of the 12-15 year olds. 

COVID case numbers in Jackson County compared to the State of Michigan*: 

*Data as of September 29, 2021

***Recovered = alive 30 days after onset date (if onset date is missing, then referral date). This calculation is using the Patient Status variable to distinguish alive vs deceased.  

Additional Resources:  

Jackson County Health Department Webpage 

Michigan Coronavirus Webpage  

Centers for Disease Control Vaccine Information Page 

JCHD COVID Vaccine Information phone line – (517) 817-4469