Issue 7 Winter 2020/21

COVID-19 Vaccines

As of mid-November 2020, ten COVID-19 vaccine candidates were in the clinical trials phase of the staged, deliberate, and careful vaccine development process followed in the United States. Even though COVID-19 vaccines are new, the technology they are based on has been studied for decades.

In November 2020, two manufacturers applied to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to obtain Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for their COVID-19 vaccines, and one has since received an EUA. The candidates must show evidence of effectiveness, that its benefits outweigh any risks, and that no alternative medication or treatment exists. Vaccine products approved under an EUA are administered under strict guidelines for educating and screening patients, reporting use and adverse reactions to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and submitting manufacturing lot samples to the FDA on a regular basis. A vaccine approved under an EUA cannot be mandated.

The next step for a vaccine candidate is approval by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP’s COVID vaccine work group analyzes data from the vaccine development process and clinical trials. If approved, a recommendation is published in the Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Review (MMWR) with specifics regarding age ranges and/or medical conditions for intended vaccine recipients. A Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) is created to inform the recipient about the disease the vaccine is formulated to prevent, contraindications and precautions for use, and reactions identified during clinical trial. Each Vaccine Information Statement includes contact information for the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) and the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). A current VIS must be offered before any each vaccine and each dose of a vaccine series.

Washington State’s DOH predicts that there will eventually be enough COVID-19 vaccine for everyone who wants them, but availability and access dates remain uncertain. Plans for distribution include priority phases identifying occupational, medical, and socio-economic considerations that will be worked through as vaccines are approved and shipped. Please note:

All school staff would fall under Phase 2 (phase one is heavily allocated to long-term care and front line healthcare workers).
It remains to be determined if COVID-19 vaccine will be recommended for children.

As with other vaccines that protect school communities, you are encouraged to get the vaccine when it is available, and if you have questions, reach out to the health district or your healthcare provider. For more information, go to:
Snohomish Health District’s COVID-19 Information Page
Snohomish County’s distribution plan overview
Snohomish County Interim Plan

Addressing Questions about COVID-19 and In-Person Learning

Some of the most common questions and concerns the Snohomish Health District has received lately are about schools and in-person learning given the current level of COVID-19 spread in Snohomish County. We’d like to share some information specifically for school leadership, staff and teacher, and students and families.

In a new 10-minute video, the Health District addresses some of the questions and concerns related to in-person learning, COVID-19, and the school environment.

Watch the video to learn more: https://youtu.be/dO02Eq1xD-A

Kids and Face Coverings

Kids can help keep our community safe and have fun, too! This video shows some tips about how to make wearing face coverings easier on everyone. Remember, children over the age of 2 should be wearing a mask while in public and unable to safely social distance.

Use This Tool to Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19

There is a new way to help stop the spread of COVID-19…your smartphone. The Snohomish Health District is joining the Washington State Department of Health in encouraging people to download or activate WANotify on their phones. It is completely private and the more people who use it, the more effective it is.

People can download or activate the new WANotify smartphone tool by following the instructions available at www.wanotify.org. It is a secure, voluntary and private platform that uses anonymous codes to notify users if they have been near another WANotify user who tests positive for COVID. This does not replace existing public health efforts for disease investigation and contact tracing, but it is a supplement to help aid with rapid notification of potential exposure so people can seek care and testing as well as avoid exposing others. More info: www.wanotify.org.

Opioid Reversal Training: Let us know how you would like to receive naloxone administration training

It is now Washington State law that high schools in districts with more than 2,000 students must obtain and maintain at least one set of opioid overdose reversal medications (naloxone) for the 2020-2021 school year. This includes receiving training on how to administer naloxone. At the Snohomish Health District, we have been working to continue our non-COVID-19 related work, including adapting our opioid overdose reversal training (naloxone administration) to an online format to help districts fulfill the skills portion of this requirement. We would like to receive your feedback on what format and content would be most helpful for your school nurses or administration. Please reach out to Abby Jernberg at ajernberg@snohd.org.

It's Always a Good Time for Marijuana Prevention

The Washington State Department of Health’s teen marijuana prevention campaign is called You Can https://www.youcanwa.org/. It’s full of youth-appropriate, factual information about the risks of underage marijuana use, while focusing on the positives of not using. It’s a great resource to share with your students! It also includes information on vaping, and COVID-19. The Youth Marijuana Prevention and Education Project coordinator at the Health District has You Can swag available by request (see photo). Email Juliet at jdalessandro@snohd.org to request items to use now as you interact with students virtually, or save them for future in-person events! She is also always available to help connect you with other marijuana prevention-related resources.

Supporting Children and Teens During the Pandemic: A Toolbox

The Washington State Department of Health has created a behavioral health toolbox to help families during the COVID-19 pandemic. This toolbox provides tips on how to navigate some of the emotional responses that families may experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this toolbox is to provide general information about common emotional responses of children, teens, and families during disasters. Families, parents, caregivers, and educators can use this information to help children, teens, and families recover from disasters and grow stronger. You can access the toolbox here.