Thursday, June 24, 2022 View as Webpage
Important message for Douglas County businesses and residents
Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) will transition responsibility for all Communicable Disease routine services (outbreaks and case investigations) and Emergency Preparedness and Response routine services in Douglas County to the newly formed Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) beginning July 1, 2022.

If you have questions related to any communicable disease, outbreak or animal bites, please contact DCHD by phone or email:
 DCHD phone number: 720-643-2400
DCHD communicable disease email: CDEpi@douglas.co.us
 
DCHD and TCHD are working closely to ensure the needs of community members are met as TCHD prepares to dissolve on Dec. 31, 2022. DCHD will continue to partner with TCHD during that period, which means that a TCHD representative may respond to your inquiry.
 
Please note that this change only applies to Communicable Disease and Emergency Preparedness and Response routine services. Other public health services in Douglas County, including routine inspections, will continue to be provided by TCHD as outlined in the Intergovernmental Agreement.
 
For general environmental health questions, please continue to contact Tri-County Health Department. For general child-care environmental health questions, please continue to contact ehchildcare@tchd.org
 
For COVID-19 questions or to report a COVID-19 outbreak in Douglas County, contact Jogan Health at DCoutbreaks@joganhealth.com or 720-412-9503.
COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for All Children 6 Months Old and Older
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have approved both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as six months old.

COVID-19 has become one of the top 10 causes of pediatric death. Vaccination is the best way to protect children from COVID-19. TCHD encourages parents to talk to their pediatricians about vaccination and is sharing this list of pediatric vaccine providers. Parents and guardians can also review recommended COVID-19 vaccine schedules and get answers to questions.

Tri-County Health Department will have COVID-19 vaccine available for this youngest age group in its clinics June 24; parents can call 303-451-0123 to make an appointment, or bring their children into our clinics during walk-in hours.

You can call the Tri-County Health Department support team with any of your COVID-19 questions 720-200-1445 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 
CDC approves Moderna vaccine for children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 17
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave final approval for use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 6 through 11 years and adolescents aged 12 through 17 years. This announcement followed the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ unanimous recommendation and FDA’s approval of emergency use authorization for the vaccine.
 
Both age groups are recommended to receive two doses, between four and eight weeks apart. Those between the ages of 12 and 17 will receive the same dosage as the Moderna vaccine for adults, and those between the ages of 6 and 11 receive one half of that dose. A third primary dose is also recommended for immunocompromised individuals at least four weeks after their second dose.
 
Adolescents aged 12 and older can get vaccinated at any provider that has Moderna vaccines for adults. Moderna vaccines for children aged 6 through 11 years are expected to become available in Colorado the week of June 27. Talk with your health care provider or visit covid19.colorado.gov/vaccinefinder for more information on where to find COVID-19 vaccines for children. Additional resources are available at https://covid19.colorado.gov/kids-vaccines.
COVID-19 community level is high in Adams and Arapahoe counties 
Both Adams and Arapahoe counties remain in the CDC's high community level. The CDC shifted the counties community level up to high June 9. Residents should take preventive steps based on the latest data and associated recommendations from CDC to help stop the spread of COVID-19. 
Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
Staying up to date on your recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses provides the greatest protection and can help prevent serious illness due to COVID-19. You are up to date when you have completed all vaccines the CDC recommends you should get. The number of vaccines for different age groups and those with different health conditions varies.
 
You should get a booster dose if you are: 
  • Aged 5 or older and received your second dose of Pfizer at least five months ago.
  • Aged 18 or older and received your second dose of Moderna at least five months ago.
  • Aged 18 or older and received your Johnson & Johnson dose at least two months ago. mRNA vaccines should be used for the booster dose.
  • Adults age 50 and older and some immunocompromised people should get a second Pfizer or Moderna booster dose at least four months after their first booster.
 
Learn more about where to get a booster dose at www.tchd.org/COVIDvaccine.
Have COVID-19 questions? 
Tri-County Health Department now has a COVID-19 Community Support Line, 720-200-1445, with specialists available to share information about COVID-19, including vaccines, testing, and referrals to supportive resources for people affected by COVID-19. For COVID-19 treatment information, referrals and assistance, call our Treatment Line at 720-200-1552. Lines are staffed Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Have to call after hours? Leave a message and we will get back to you.
Free testing at Walgreens on National HIV Testing Day 
Tri-County Health Department is partnering with Greater Than AIDS and Walgreens to offer free HIV testing on Monday, June 27 at participating Walgreens stores. Find FREE HIV testing at a Walgreens near you! TCHD will have its Harm Reduction and HIV Prevention team at the Walgreens near Havana at 10501 E Colfax Ave, Aurora.
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Swimming is a tried and true favorite summer activity. But keeping yourself and your family safe while enjoying the water is important. Swimming-related illnesses are more common than you think. For more information, visit: http://ow.ly/WBCm50Jwt5x

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Beyond COVID-19: Local Public Health Updates
Men's Health Month
Men’s Health Month is here, and that’s your reminder to take charge of your total health. Men are less likely to visit and share concerns with theirs doctors than women, and this can have perilous consequences: avoiding detection and treatment of serious illness could impede chances of full recovery, and will likely be more expensive to treat.
 
Get current on screenings, and talk to your health professionals about any potential risk factors and preventive measures you can take. And remember that mental health affects your physical health, and vice versa. You can’t take care of one and not the other. 
Tri-County Health Department | communications@tchd.org | 303-220-9200 www.tchd.org/coronavirus | Sign up to receive this update