Update: September 18 – October 1, 2023

• With the higher rates of COVID-19 in our communities, testing continues to be one of the best tools to limit transmission. Good news: Testing just got easier, as people living in the U.S. can once again order four free COVID-19 tests to be delivered by mail.
• The updated COVID-19 vaccine is being shipped to health centers, health departments and pharmacies across the country after it was approved last week by the FDA. The Provider Network (MCN) published this blog to provide the most important points about who is eligible and when they can get the dose.
• Which vaccines should you and your loved ones get this fall? We’re here to help, and you can also refer to this recent New York Times article for additional guidance.
  • Everyone 6 months and older is eligible to get a flu shot and an updated COVID-19 vaccine, whether someone is unvaccinated or just getting a booster.
  • People over 60 years of age, people who are pregnant, and infants are eligible for RSV vaccines. Ask a medical professional about whether the RSV vaccine is something you or your loved ones should consider.
• Last week, the New York Times Magazine brought to light another instance of migrant child labor and related occupational injuries and risks in poultry plants on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The Department of Labor (DOL) has opened investigations.
• Community health workers face significant challenges in caring for asylum seekers, particularly those who serve significant numbers of asylum seekers in border areas between Mexico and the United States. Learn about some of these challenges in this interview with the Southeastern Arizona Health Education Center, which provides bicultural and bilingual information.

Download video in English and Spanish.

Download audio in English and Spanish.

• In September and October, Project Firstline in Delaware will be providing updates on controlling the spread of respiratory germs. For more information on in-person training, please email Deserae Bechtol, MSN, RN at deserae.bechtol@delaware.gov. Learn about the program on the CDC page on this topic.  

• Are you or your colleagues interested in learning how to use demographic data to better support your work? Morehouse School of Medicine will host a webinar titled, “Accessing Secondary Data Sources To Tell Community Stories,” tomorrow, September 27 at 12 PM ET. Register here.   

• The new COVID-19 vaccine is here. CDM developed these visuals in English and Spanish with information about this opportunity to continue protecting yourself and your loved ones. Share them!

• Deferred action is a powerful tool for migrant workers to stand up against violations of their rights at work in the United States. Centro de los Derechos del Migrante (CDM) created these flyers in Spanish, English and Mixteco to disseminate basic information about this protection for workers. Check them out and share them with your networks!
• The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services connects children and adults with healthy foods through the Child and Adult Care Food Program. CACFP is available to programs serving children and adults in the following categories that meet federal income requirements. More information about CACFP is available here.
• Mental Health America launched a valuable resource, their Mental Health Resource Center in Spanish, to support mental health care in Spanish-speaking communities in the United States. You can find useful back-to-school and culturally sensitive mental health toolkits to highlight the three central pillars of culture, community and connection. Check it out!

• Are you looking to make sure your workplace is a safe and healthy place to work? Join our Facebook Live TODAY, September 26 at 6:00 pm ET / 4:00 pm CDMX to learn about:
  • Practical advice from occupational health experts.
  • Live answers to your questions.
  • Inspiring stories from workers like you.
• TidalHealth is hosting a drive-through flu vaccine clinic at Arthur W. Perdue (Shorebirds) Stadium, 6400 Hobbs Rd, Salisbury, MD 21804 on Friday September 29, from 8AM – 6PM ET.
• CORE Georgia, Georgia Department of Public Health and Mobilevax will provide free public health services at mobile sites located throughout the state of Georgia. COVID-19 vaccination is not currently available at CORE Georgia sites and will not be available until they receive doses of the updated booster.