Embedded Files
Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines from the CDC - Click HERE
Vaccine Safety Information from the CDC - Click Here
Vaccine Effectiveness - Click Here
August 23, 2024
COVID-19 tests can be ordered through mail for no cost
COVID-19 tests can be ordered through mail for no cost
On the heels of a summer wave of COVID-19 cases, Americans will be able to get free virus test kits mailed to their homes, starting in late September.
Government announces more free COVID-19 tests can be ordered through mail | AP News
FDA approves updated COVID-19 vaccines
The New York Times (8/22, Mueller, Weiland) reports, “The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the latest slate of annual COVID vaccines, clearing the way for Americans 6 months and older to receive updated shots in the midst of a prolonged summer surge of the virus.” Pfizer and Moderna “are expected to begin shipping vaccines to pharmacies and doctors’ offices within days.”
The AP (8/22, Neergaard) reports the updated vaccines “target a subtype called KP.2 that was common earlier this year” and will provide cross-protection for additional offshoots such as the currently spreading KP.3.1.1. Meanwhile, a third vaccine manufacturer, “Novavax, expects its modified vaccine version to be available” later.
The Hill (8/22, Choi) reports the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been “approved for people 12 years old and older.” The FDA has also granted emergency use authorization “for three doses of the updated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine or two doses of the Moderna vaccine to be administered to unvaccinated children aged between six months and 4 years of age.”
July, 2024
Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendation
CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older receive an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 this fall and winter whether or not they have ever previously been vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine.
March, 2024
"People aged 65 years and older who received 1 dose of any updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Novavax) should receive 1 additional dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the previous updated dose."
Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC
9/12/23
“ACIP’s recommendations, following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval on Monday for those 12 and older and authorization for those 6 months to 11 years of age, will allow individuals 6 months of age and older to receive an updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose of a Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine. This recommendation replaces previous bivalent booster dose recommendations."
“Given that COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to impact the U.S. population and an increase in infections is expected this fall and winter, the updated COVID-19 vaccines increase the immune response against the currently circulating variants and are projected to prevent about 400,000 hospitalizations and 40,000 deaths over the next 2 years."
AMA statement on updated COVID-19 vaccine | American Medical Association (ama-assn.org)
4/20/23
Following FDA regulatory action, CDC has taken steps to simplify COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and allow more flexibility for people at higher risk who want the option of added protection from additional COVID-19 vaccine doses.
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met today to discuss these COVID-19 vaccine recommendation changes, and the associated implications and implementation. Although there was no vote at this meeting, ACIP members expressed their support for these recommendations.
These changes include:
CDC’s new recommendations allow an additional updated (bivalent) vaccine dose for adults ages 65 years and older and additional doses for people who are immunocompromised. This allows more flexibility for healthcare providers to administer additional doses to immunocompromised patients as needed.
Monovalent (original) mRNA COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be recommended for use in the United States.
CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 years and older receive an updated (bivalent) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they previously completed their (monovalent) primary series.
Individuals ages 6 years and older who have already received an updated mRNA vaccine do not need to take any action unless they are 65 years or older or immunocompromised.
For young children, multiple doses continue to be recommended and will vary by age, vaccine, and which vaccines were previously received.
Alternatives to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines remain available for people who cannot or will not receive an mRNA vaccine. CDC’s recommendations for use of (monovalent) Novavax or Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccines were not affected by the changes made today.
CDC and ACIP will continue to monitor COVID-19 disease levels and vaccine effectiveness in the months ahead and look forward to additional discussion around potential updates this fall.
9/19/22
COVID-19 Bivalent Boosters recommended for 12 and Up
Updated Sept. 8, 2022
What You Need to Know
What You Need to Know
CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, including all primary series doses and boosters for their age group:
People ages 6 months through 4 years should get all COVID-19 primary series doses.
People ages 5 years and older should get all primary series doses, and the booster dose recommended for them by CDC, if eligible.
People ages 5 years to 11 years are currently recommended to get the original (monovalent) booster.
People ages 12 years and older are recommended to receive one updated Pfizer or Moderna (bivalent) booster.
This includes people who have received all primary series doses and people who have previously received one or more original (monovalent) boosters.
At this time, people aged 12 years to 17 years can only receive the updated Pfizer bivalent booster.
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from COVID-19 infection provides added protection against COVID-19.
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters.
COVID-19 vaccine and booster recommendations may be updated as CDC continues to monitor the latest data.
6/21/22
COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens
Updated June 19, 2022
About Vaccination for Children and Teens
About Vaccination for Children and Teens
CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older and boosters for everyone 5 years and older, if eligible. Use CDC’s COVID-19 booster tool to learn if and when your child or teen can get boosters to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens | CDC
12/29/2022
CDC Recommends Additional Boosters for Certain Individuals | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC
Media Statement
For Immediate Release: March 29, 2022
Data continue to show the importance of vaccination and booster doses to protect individuals both from infection and severe outcomes of COVID-19. For adults and adolescents eligible for a first booster dose, these shots are safe and provide substantial benefit. During the recent Omicron surge, those who were boosted were 21-times less likely to die from COVID-19 compared to those who were unvaccinated, and 7-times less likely to be hospitalized. CDC continues to recommend that all eligible adults, adolescents, and children 5 and older be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, which includes getting an initial booster when eligible.
Following FDA’s regulatory action today, CDC is updating its recommendations to allow certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago to be eligible for another mRNA booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. Separately and in addition, based on newly published data, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
These updated recommendations acknowledge the increased risk of severe disease in certain populations including those who are elderly or over the age of 50 with multiple underlying conditions, along with the currently available data on vaccine and booster effectiveness.
12/27/2021
Summary of updated quarantine and isolation guidelines
If You Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate)
Everyone, regardless of vaccination status.
Stay home for 5 days.
If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.
If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19 (Quarantine)
If you:
Have been boosted
OR
Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months
OR
Completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months
Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
Test on day 5, if possible.
If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.
If you:
Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted
OR
Completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted
OR
Are unvaccinated
Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days.
Test on day 5 if possible.
If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home
11/20/21 From the CDC
CDC Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots to All Adults
For Immediate Release: Friday, November 19, 2021
Today, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) expanded recommendations for booster shots to include all adults ages 18 years and older who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least six months after their second dose.
The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization and CDC’s recommendation for use are critical next steps forward in our country’s booster program – a program which will help provide increased protection against COVID-19 disease and death.
CDC continues to encourage the 47 million adults who are not yet vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves, their families, loved ones and communities. We also strongly encourage those who were already eligible – older populations and individuals with underlying medical conditions – to get boosted before the holidays.
Anyone can find available vaccines near them at vaccines.gov and can consult their health care provider or local pharmacist if they have questions about vaccines or boosters.
11/2/21
CDC Recommends Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 5 to 11 Years
CDC Recommends Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 5 to 11 Years
Media Statement
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Today, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. CDC now expands vaccine recommendations to about 28 million children in the United States in this age group and allows providers to begin vaccinating them as soon as possible.
10/25/21
From the CDC
Today, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation for a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccines in certain populations. The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization
and CDC’s recommendation for use are important steps forward as we work to stay ahead of the virus and keep Americans safe.
For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:
65 years and older
Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings
For the nearly 15 million people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.
There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.
10/21/21
NOTICE: FDA expanded the use of a booster shot for COVID-19 vaccines in certain populations and authorized a single booster shot for Moderna and the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is meeting on Thursday, October 21, to discuss its recommendations for COVID-19 booster shots.
9/24/21
FDA Authorizes Booster Dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Certain Populations
FDA Authorizes Booster Dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Certain Populations
"U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to allow for use of a single booster dose, to be administered at least six months after completion of the primary series in:
individuals 65 years of age and older;
individuals 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19; and
individuals 18 through 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19 including severe COVID-19.
Today’s authorization applies only to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine."
Source FDA Authorizes Booster Dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Certain Populations | FDA
It is more important than ever that all eligible people get fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Please use these links from the Centers for Disease Control to learn more and to get vaccinated.
Learn more: Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines (cdc.gov)
Get vaccinated: How Do I Find a COVID-19 Vaccine? | CDC
5/17/2021
We are continuing to require masks for our patients and staff. If you have proof of completing one of the 3 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson), with the date of the last vaccination 2 weeks prior, then we can see you in the office for sick visits (fever, congestion, cough, etc). If not completely vaccinated, then we request that sick patients arrange a video telemedicine visit.
1/12/2021
Here are the links for scheduling Coronavirus Vaccines
Macomb County : Online Appointment
Oakland County : Oakland County Vaccine Hub
Wayne County : COVID-19 Resources
Meijer : COVID-19 Vaccination
Beaumont : COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
Walgreens : COVID-19 Vaccination
1/09/2020
There have been many questions recently regarding the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. I know many are anxious to get the vaccination, especially after our Governor's announcement this week that distribution would open to those 65 and older (and other 1B group members).
First off, physician offices do not yet have the vaccine. It is being provided to our state in small amounts by county (currently about 1,000 doses per county per week) and the state will control where and how it is given. Hospitals, health departments, and some pharmacies will be the primary places to get the vaccine. We will not have vaccine in our office for the foreseeable future.
The best place to get information currently is by clicking the link michigan.gov/covidvaccine
. Here you will find answers to your questions including locations where you can get the vaccine. You will notice Oakland and Macomb counties are not listed as all appointments for next week have been filled.
If you are a Beaumont patient and have access to myBeaumontChart you will receive an invitation from Beaumont when it is your turn to schedule. Watch your email. We ask everyone to please be patient during this process. The hospitals, health departments, and doctor offices are overwhelmed with calls currently. We will do our best to ensure everyone has access to the vaccine. In the meantime please continue to wear your mask, social distance, and wash your hands. Your health is our #1 priority!
-The doctors and staff at MACM
Viruses, Immunity and Vaccines
12/25/2020
Coronavirus Update: Stats and Vaccines
Michigan Vaccination Plan
12/11/2020
Here is the latest from MDHHS:
Click Here Coronavirus - MDHHS announces priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination (michigan.gov)
3/20/2020
Video Telemedicine is Here!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse