HEALTH CARE
The FDA on Oct. 29 authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to include those in the 5-11 age group. (Courtesy Pexels)
FDA greenlights Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for ages 5-11
Gov. Greg Abbott's office announced Aug. 9 the state has asked hospitals to voluntarily postpone elective medical procedures. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Abbott pens letter asking hospitals to voluntarily postpone elective medical procedures
The CDC reversed its masking guidance for fully vaccinated individuals in response to the transmissibility of the delta variant of COVID-19 in a press conference July 27. (Community Impact Newspaper staff)
NEW CDC GUIDANCE: All individuals should wear masks in K-12 schools, including those who are fully vaccinated
The city of McKinney established school zones for Emerson High School in a July 20 City Council meeting. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
School zone established for Emerson High in Frisco ISD; 61% of residents in 3 Plano ZIP codes fully vaccinated, and more top news from DFW
The cost of a month’s supply of insulin for insured Texans will no longer exceed $25, according to a bill that is on its way to becoming state law. (Courtesy Peakpx)
Texas Legislature caps insulin price at $25 a month for the insured
Susan Bailey was elected president of the American Medical Association in June 2020. (Courtesy American Medical Association)
'I am convinced we will beat COVID': American Medical Association President Susan Bailey discusses vaccine successes, myths, challenges
The program, which began this week in San Marcos, gives Amazon and Whole Foods employees and contractors direct access to COVID-19 vaccinations. (Courtesy Amazon)
Amazon begins rollout of statewide vaccination clinics for employees
The new tool will give Texans one place to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine through multiple health departments, including the eight DSHS public health regions—which provides public health services to nearly 200 Texas counties—as well as more than a dozen local health entities statewide. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Department of State Health Services launches Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler
The Centers for Disease Control released new guidance on in-person instruction for K-12 grade schools on March 19. (Courtesy Pexels)
CDC loosens guidelines on social distancing in schools
In response to Gov. Greg Abbott's March 2 announcement that Texas' statewide mask mandate and COVID-19-related business restrictions will be lifted as of March 10, the Texas Education Agency released updated public health guidance March 3. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Updated Texas Education Agency guidance allows individual school boards to determine mask policies
Although the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has a lower efficacy rate in the U.S. compared against the Moderna and Pfizer versions, which stand at about 94%, officials said it is important to note that there have been no deaths associated with the new vaccine. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
DSHS: Texans could see a third COVID-19 vaccine join the rollout effort as soon as March 1
AECOM Texas Executive Wendy Lopez moderates a panel discussion Feb. 4 featuring Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, Denton County Judge Andy Eads, Collin County Judge Chris Hill and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. (Screenshot courtesy North Texas Commission)
‘Hope for tsunami of vaccines’: North Texas county judges discuss regional collaboration in COVID-19 response
About one-third of respondents in a survey conducted by the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs said they are unlikely to be vaccinated against COVID-19. (Courtesy Baylor College of Medicine)
One-third of Texans likely to refuse COVID-19 vaccine, survey finds
In addition to vaccine hubs, there are also smaller community vaccine providers throughout Texas, such as pharmacies, that may also have the vaccine available. (Eva Vigh/Community Impact Newspaper)
EXPLAINED: When, where and how Texans can receive the COVID-19 vaccine
Curative mobile testing clinics are stationed at sites in the Houston, Austin and Dallas metropolitan areas, including in The Woodlands. (Courtesy The Woodlands Township)
FDA alerts patients regarding possible false negatives from COVID-19 tests offered at Curative sites, including in Texas
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo addresses the public during a Jan. 7 news conference about the first reported case in Texas of the UK COVID-19 variant. (Screenshot courtesy Office of Judge Lina Hidalgo)
Harris County tackles Texas' first known case of UK COVID-19 variant
Gov. Greg Abbott (right) and John Hellerstedt, Texas Department of State Health Services commissioner, provide an update on COVID-19 vaccine distribution at a Dec. 17 news conference. (Courtesy Office of the Governor)
Abbott: Vaccines to reach some in Texas nursing homes by end of year
Hospitals across the North Texas area are monitoring elective procedures after the region crossed a key state threshold for COVID-19 hospitalizations. (Courtesy Medical City Plano)
Many elective surgeries still on schedule in North Texas despite new COVID-19 restrictions
Restaurants, bars and some other businesses in North Texas will face a familiar slate of heightened restrictions after the region exceeded the Gov. Greg Abbott’s threshold for COVID-19 hospitalizations. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Bar closures, tighter business restrictions triggered in North Texas by COVID-19 hospitalizations