Weekly Update: January 30 – February 5, 2023

Last Thursday, an FDA committee voted to simplify the COVID-19 vaccination strategy in the U.S. The committee recommended that future vaccines have the same formula, no matter if you’re getting a first dose or booster dose. Brands of vaccines would also be interchangeable. We’ll keep you updated on how these recommendations may change COVID-19 vaccination guidance.
A new CDC study shared results from a recent survey of previously vaccinated adults in the U.S: Among people who had not yet received the bivalent booster, the most common reasons reported were 1) lack of awareness of eligibility and 2) lack of awareness of availability. The results reinforce that our work to build COVID-19 vaccine confidence and connect folks to vaccination opportunities still matters.
CDM will be sharing a series of videos to raise awareness about the recent guidance from the Department of Homeland Security that can provide undocumented workers or those with temporary visas with work authorization and protection from deportation. Check out our first video, published today!

Download video in English and Spanish.

Download audio in English and Spanish.

Maryland Latinos Unidos is offering a bilingual (English & Spanish) training opportunity this Thursday, February 2 from 10 AM to 1 PM for community health workers and leaders who would like to learn about how to address misinformation and disinformation about vaccines. Spread the word, and register here.

The University of Delaware is looking for volunteers to assist with community surveying from Feb. 16 to 18 to collect critical community input for the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). Volunteers can receive $150 gift cards for each day of volunteering (up to $450 in gift cards total). Attending a training session prior to volunteering will be required. Sign up here!
View data on influenza in Delaware here.

Maryland Latinos Unidos is offering FREE capacity-building programs for Latino nonprofit organizations. The workshops are bilingual and virtual and will occur on the third Thursday of every month from 1 to 3 PM beginning in February. Sign up here!
View data on influenza in Maryland here.

Our PPP partner, Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC), has some good news to share about Emergency Medicaid coverage. People in Virginia who quality based on household size and income level can now apply for Emergency Medicaid preventatively! People seeking coverage can call LAJC at 1-888-392-5132 for application assistance. Help spread the word by sharing LAJC’s videos in English and Spanish.
View data on influenza in Virginia here.

Student Action with Farmworkers will host a virtual information session about their summer internship program this Thursday, February 2, at 6 PM. Join here.
View data on influenza in North Carolina here.

The Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center in Columbia, SC is recruiting Spanish speakers for a diabetes intervention class in March. Learn more and pre-register here.
View data on influenza in South Carolina here.

Refugee Women’s Network offers a variety of health resources for refugee and immigrant women. A wellness group for women occurs every second Thursday of the month from 11 AM to 12:30 PM, and free diapers and hygiene products are available. The Women’s Circle occurs every third Thursday of the month from 11 AM to 12 PM and focuses on self-care and stress relief. Visit Refugee Women’s Network’s website for more information and to register.
View data on influenza in Georgia here.

Data Sources:

The New York Times. (2020). Coronavirus (Covid-19) Data in the United States. Retrieved [1/31/2023], from https://github.com/nytimes/covid-19-data.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). COVID Data Tracker: COVID-19 Integrated County View. Retrieved [1/31/2023], from https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view.