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The Virtual Health Office
May/June 2021
Springing into a Safe Summer
COVID Updates, Vaccinating ages 12 +
Butte County to Open Pfizer Vaccinations for 12-15 Age Group
Following FDA Emergency Use Authorization, Federal and State Safety Review Experts Recommend the Vaccine as Safe and Effective for Protecting Young People 12+
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. – Butte County parents and legal guardians can schedule appointments for young people in their family who are aged 12+ to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine using the statewide booking system: MyTurn.ca.gov. This expanded eligibility is effective immediately for all vaccine providers in the county.
On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) vaccine safety review panel and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup determined that the vaccine is safe and effective in protecting this age group against severe illness, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19 disease, and noted that the vaccination in this age group also appears to protect adolescents from being able to transmit the SARS-CoV-2 virus to others.
The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that youth now account for 22% of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. This time last year it was only around 3%. It is important to get young people vaccinated to prevent new SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 disease from further spread, especially with the increase of SARS-CoV-2 virus variants in Butte County and nearby counties.
“With COVID-19 cases among youth on the rise, the timing of the Pfizer authorization for ages 12-15 could not be better. While some youth have a less severe or asymptomatic COVID-19 infection, they can still transmit the virus to others,” explained Dr. Robert Bernstein, Butte County Public Health Officer.
Providers and parents/caregivers can review the Pfizer Vaccine Fact Sheets issued by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
• For Providers: http://www.fda.gov/media/144413/download
• For parents/caregivers http://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download
Residents 18 years and older remain eligible for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
To book a vaccination in Butte County, please visit the BCPH COVID-19 Vaccination website: http://www.buttecounty.net/COVIDvaccine. Those without internet may call the Butte County COVID Call Center for assistance: 552-3050.
Residents ages 12 to 15 are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine and must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver and have proof of age at time of appointment. The Pfizer vaccine is administered in two doses taken three weeks (21 days) apart. It has already been safely administered to millions of California adults, including more than 30 percent of 16- and 17-year-olds.
- As more members of our community receive vaccinations, it is important to stay up to date with quarantine guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html
Preparing for the Heat Wave!
-Make sure your student is bringing a water bottle daily. Many water fountains are still closed at school.
More helpful hints to keep cool: https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2021-01/ready_extreme-heat_info-sheet.pdf
-Know the difference between heat exhaustion, and heat stroke and how to treat before symptoms become too severe:
Scoliosis Screening
- However, Shriners hospital will be having an event on Friday, May 7, it is being implemented by the hospital itself and will take place at Chico Pediatrics in town. They will be sending their medical director of the spine program, Dr. Rolando Roberto up that day as well. It will also serve as a wonderful opportunity for him to connect with local clinic providers in the community! Schedule an appointment: (916) 453-2334.
If you have concerns, and would like your student to have a screening at school, please contact your school nurse.
May is Bike Month
-Schools across the district are offering prizes and activities for students riding their bikes to school.
-Bike to work/school week is May 17-23, find out more about how you can participate: https://bikeleague.org/bikemonth
-Check in with Chico Velo for other ways you can participate:https://www.chicovelo.org/calendar.html
-Local youth mountain biking club, check out their fun events and consider joining: http://northstatemtb.weebly.com/
-Make sure you are correctly wearing your helmet: https://bikeleague.org/content/bike-helmets
Summer Activities
-Fun, educational activities for students: https://www.unicefkidpower.org/summer-activities-kids/
-CARD is offering many Summer programs for school age students:https://www.chicorec.com/
-Rock on! Summer Camp at the Terrain Park Climbing Gym: https://www.terrainparkclimbingcenter.com/youth-1
-Jumping into Fly Camp at RareAir in Chico: https://www.rareairparkchico.com/flycampregistration
-Funland has multiple Summer Camps, with options for everyone: https://funlandchico.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Coronavirus-Camp-Changes-information-sheet-flier.jpg
-Parks in our area: https://chico.ca.us/profile/parks-department
-Explore further out: August 4, One year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, and all National Parks are free!
Immunization Updates
Even with current school closures, immunization requirements for admission to school or child care in California for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school year remain in place. Any updates will be posted here: https://www.shotsforschool.org/
CDC has just released guidance on maintaining immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic. The information can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/schedule-changes.html.
If your student is not current on immunizations you may receive a letter or phone call from the health office. Most clinician's offices and Public Health are still administering immunizations, but many pharmacies have restricted or limited their hours. For an updated list of providers and their current immunization schedule please contact your school nurse.
National Mental Health Month
Did you know?
- 9.4% of children aged 2-17 years (approximately 6.1 million) have received an ADHD diagnosis.
- 7.4% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 4.5 million) have a diagnosed behavior problem.
- 7.1% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 4.4 million) have diagnosed anxiety.
- 3.2% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 1.9 million) have diagnosed depression.
If you think you or your student could benefit from school services please contact your student's counselor directly or check out Chico Unified's Health and Wellness Resources http://www.chicousd.org/Departments/Educational-Services/Health-Services/Wellness-Resources/index.html
For online/ phone support:
- SAMHSA's Disaster Distress Line (24/7): Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
- The Peer-Run Warm Line (24/7): Call 1-855-845-7415 for peer-run non-emergency emotional support.
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24/7): Call 1-800-273-8255.
NATIONAL ASTHMA AND ALLERGY AWARENESS MONTH
- About 25 million Americans have asthma (19 million adults and 6.2 million children)
- About 32 million Americans have food allergies (26 million adults and 6 million children)
- About 21 million Americans have hay fever, rhinitis or nasal allergies (20 million adults and 5.6 million children)
There are many resources to keep your student with allergies safe at school and home, such as having emergency or as needed medications in the health office, and working with your school nurse/ nutrition services to have the appropriate allergy free meals at your site.
We invite you to use our resources and tools below to spread awareness throughout May. Here are just a few ways you can be a part of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month at home:
Participate in AAFA’s photo contests: More Than Asthma (hosted on our asthma support community) or More Than Food Allergies (hosted on our Kids With Food Allergies support community)
Use social media to tell your story and share information about asthma and allergies.
Attend and invite others to attend our virtual awareness events.
Participate in research and clinical trials to expand treatments.
Source:
CONTACT YOUR SCHOOL NURSE!
Melanie Evans, mgevans@chicousd.org: Marsh Junior High , Parkview Elementary, Bidwell Junior High
Tina Collins: tcollins@chicousd.org: Emma Wilson Elementary, Little Chico Creek Elementary, Hooker Oak Elementary, Neal Dow Elementary
Michelle Neves Dean, mnevesdean@chicousd.org: Chico Senior High, McManus Elementary, Wildflower Elementary
Julie Scalet, jscalet@chicousd.org: Pleasant Valley High, Fairview, Sierra View Elementary
Julie Parker, jlparker@chicousd.org: Loma Vista, Marigold Elementary, Oakdale Elementary and Oakbridge
Cindy Steffen, csteffen@chicousd.org: Citrus Elementary, Rosedale Elementary, Chapman Elementary
Sherry Atkin, satkin@chicousd.org: Shasta Elementary, Chico Junior High, Forest Ranch