Provider Resources WA

12/06/23 Health Advisory: Test perinatally exposed children for hepatitis C.

baby clothes sitting on a table. A yellow shirt, a pacifier, a blue pair of socks and a pink pair of socks.

Action requested Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends you test children born to people with: Test children for HCV RNA at 2–6 months old, up to 17 months old. Give untested children older than 18 months an HCV antibody test with reflex to HCV RNA. Report hepatitis C cases in pregnant people and the 12/06/23 Health Advisory: Test perinatally exposed children for hepatitis C.

11/21/23 Health Advisory: Nirsevimab supplies are short.

Provider standing and pregnant person sitting on exam table.

Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) RSV preventive antibodies for infants is in short supply. Encourage Abrysvo vaccine for pregnant people to protect babies from RSV.  Washington will receive 7,700 50 mg and 600 100 mg nirsevimab doses for the remainder of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a Health Alert that 11/21/23 Health Advisory: Nirsevimab supplies are short.

10/16/23 Health Advisory: FDA Authorized New Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Formulation

Yellow triangle with black exclamation mark in the center and "Health Advisory" underneath

The new adjuvanted (2023–2204) formulation of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for people 12 years or older as follows: Updated 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine availability may be limited and vary by location. Help patients understand this situation and thank them for their patience. Resources Questions?

09/28/23 Health Advisory: 2023–2024 Respiratory Illness Season

Adult holding a child. A nurse is listening to the child's lungs.

This 2023–2024 respiratory illness season, we’re monitoring 3 common causes of respiratory illness that circulate in Pierce County: influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19. Influenza Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in the United States last flu season (2022–2023) caused: Those at highest risk for severe illness include: Guidelines RSV RSV 09/28/23 Health Advisory: 2023–2024 Respiratory Illness Season

09/26/23: Regional healthcare organizations adopt masking guidelines

Child blowing their nose looking off to the side

Healthcare facilities in the region have joined together voluntarily to prioritize the health and safety of patients and employees by adopting interim thresholds for universal masking in hospitals and outpatient clinics.   When thresholds are crossed, which indicates increased regional respiratory illness activity and impact, masking by staff and patients will be required in patient care 09/26/23: Regional healthcare organizations adopt masking guidelines

09/19/23 Health Advisory: New COVID-19 Vaccines Authorized, Previous Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines Deauthorized

hands in blue medical gloves holding a syringe and drawing from a vile

On Sept. 11, 2023, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized for emergency use new, updated (2023–2024) COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer. On Sept. 12, 2023, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended everyone 6 months or older get new, updated (2023–2024) COVID-19 vaccine. The federal government will no longer provide COVID-19 vaccine. 09/19/23 Health Advisory: New COVID-19 Vaccines Authorized, Previous Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines Deauthorized

Hepatitis A Fact Sheet

Gloved giving a shot in the arm.

Overview Transmission: Fecal-oral. Incubation Period: Average 28-30 days (range 15-50 days). Symptoms: Anorexia, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, followed by jaundice. Severity of illness increases with age. Infectious Period: 14 days prior to onset of jaundice to seven days after onset of jaundice. Infants can excrete virus in the stool for longer periods of time. Epidemiology: Hepatitis A Fact Sheet

Hand Hygiene In Healthcare Settings

Pair of hands lathering soap over a steel sink

What is hand hygiene? Hand hygiene refers to the use of hand washing with soap and water or alcohol hand sanitizer (60% alcohol or greater) in order to reduce infection rates, reduce transmission of antimicrobial resistant organisms and stop outbreaks of communicable disease. Why is hand hygiene important? When should I use hand hygiene? How Hand Hygiene In Healthcare Settings