NewsNow - 10.25.2021

ODH Releases Guidance on COVID-19 Booster Doses

The Ohio Department of Health has issued guidance to the more than 3,500 COVID-19 vaccine providers statewide to ensure they have access to the latest information about administering booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines, following action by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, Ohioans can get information about the booster doses from the following recently updated resources:

The expanded availability of booster doses, released by the CDC late Thursday, is outlined below. Booster doses of all three COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer/Comirnaty, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson) are now available for the following populations ages 18 and up. Boosters are not authorized for those under age 18 at this time, with the exception of immunocompromised individuals for whom a third dose of an mRNA vaccine is recommended to complete the primary vaccine series.

Those who originally received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine:

Booster doses are authorized for all recipients of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone age 18 or older who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine can get a second booster dose at least two months following the initial dose.

Those who originally received an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer/Comirnaty):

Those who received an initial series of either Pfizer/Comirnaty or Moderna, received their second dose at least six months ago, and meet any of the following criteria are eligible:

65 years and older.
Age 18 and older who live in long-term care settings.
Age 18 and older who have underlying medical conditions.
Age 18 and older who work or live in high-risk settings.

At this time, individuals who receive a messenger RNA vaccine (Pfizer/Comirnaty or Moderna) should not exceed three total doses.

Mix-and-match boosters

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. This mix-and-match approach only applies to booster doses. A primary vaccination series should be completed using the same product.

There are many opportunities in Ohio to be vaccinated, including walk-in and scheduled appointments statewide at pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, doctor’s offices, community vaccination sites, and local health departments. There is ample supply of vaccine for boosters, as well as first and second doses, for Ohioans. Ohioans can check their eligibility and book an appointment online at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov or by calling 1-833-427-5634. Ohioans who want to learn more about the safety, efficacy, and side effects of COVID-19 vaccines should talk to their doctor, nurse, or pharmacist, or visit coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine to learn more.

Ohio Students Invited to Participate in Whole Child Roundtable Series

The Ohio Association of Student Leaders and the Ohio Department of Education will host student-led roundtable discussions focused on Ohio's Whole Child Framework. Student voice is critical to implement effective whole child supports. Roundtable discussions offer a way to engage students in a two-way communication opportunity. During these roundtables, students will have the opportunity to exercise their leadership skills while also co-designing whole child supports with their school administrators and educators. Students in grades 6-12 are invited to join the round table discussions to share how schools are supporting them to be safe, healthy, engaged, supported and challenged. Interested students are welcome to participate in one or multiple virtual discussions. Roundtable sessions will be held from 6-7 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: Oct. 26, Nov. 16, Feb. 22, March 22 and; April 19. Each discussion will focus on one of the five tenets, safe, healthy, engaged, supported and challenged. The first discussion will be on the topic of supporting healthy students. Please encourage students to learn more and register at the Ohio Association of Student Leaders site. Details and link to join will be sent with their registration confirmation.

New NIMH Study Examines Link Between Brain Activity Following Trauma, Long-Term Mental Health

The way a person’s brain responds to stress following a traumatic event, such as a car accident, may help to predict their long-term mental health outcomes, according to research supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health. The research, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, is part of the NIMH-funded AURORA study, a large-scale, multisite study that followed more than 3,000 people for up to a year after exposure to a traumatic event. Click HERE to read more.

IC&RC Prevention Specialist Job Analysis Survey

The International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) invites prevention practitioners to participate in a voluntary Prevention Specialist (PS) Job Analysis Survey. This survey will be used to identify tasks and knowledge reflective of the professional role of a Prevention Specialist. The results of the survey will help develop the specifications for the IC&RC PS certification examination. This is a great way to contribute to the industry and ensure that a high standard is maintained. The deadline to complete the survey is Oct. 29. Please email Tina@internationalcredentialing.org with questions.

SAMHSA to Join MTV, Non-Profits for First Mental Health Youth Action Forum in 2022

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced last week that it will join with MTV Entertainment and leading national non-profit organizations in hosting a mental health youth action forum in coordination with the White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The initiative aims to empower young people to use storytelling to address the mental health crisis, enabling them to take actions to help themselves and support others. Senior officials from the Biden-Harris Administration, including from the Department of Health and Human Services, are expected to speak during the Forum which will take place in early 2022, and culminate with a White House event. If you know someone who may be interested in participating in this event, MTV is accepting applications through Nov. 15.

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