Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) updates Updates from FDA in our ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic since our last email update include: Bookmark www.fda.gov/coronavirus for the latest. | FDA actively working to investigate, address potential impacts of omicron variant As we have with previous emerging COVID-19 variants, the FDA is actively working with our federal partners, international regulators and medical product companies to quickly address any potential impacts of the new omicron variant on the tools to fight the pandemic. The agency is working as quickly as possible to evaluate the potential impact of this variant on the currently available diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. We are closely monitoring the situation and are committed to communicating with the public as we learn more. Getting vaccinated or receiving a booster with one of the currently available vaccines is the best thing that you can do right now (in addition to standard precautions like masking) to help protect yourself, your family and friends from developing COVID-19. (November 30, 2021) COVID-19 vaccine updates Find a vaccine near you Text your zip code to GETVAX (438829) in English or VACUNA (822862) in Spanish to find out where COVID-19 vaccines are available near you. COVID-19 vaccines are free to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status. Learn more at vaccines.gov. Reminder: Everyone 18 years of age and older may now receive a single booster dose after completion of primary vaccination with any FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccine videos available in multiple languages Earlier this year, FDA's Office of Minority Health and Health Equity released a new set of videos about COVID-19 vaccine safety and diversity. Racial and ethnic minority communities have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is important to get vaccinated. Videos are now available in Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Navajo, Cherokee, and American Sign Language along with the previously released English and Spanish versions. Vaccines are one of the safest tools to prevent infectious diseases like COVID-19, and they can help protect you and your loved ones from the virus. You can find the videos on our YouTube Minority Health playlist and our COVID-19 Vaccines page. MCMi regulatory science update Expanding next-generation sequencing tools to support pandemic preparedness and response In a new project funded by FDA, Embleema and George Washington University will conduct bioinformatic research and system development to expand the FDA-ARGOS database. FDA-ARGOS contains curated, quality-controlled genomic sequence data to support research and regulatory decisions. For example, researchers can use FDA-ARGOS along with bioinformatics tools to validate the performance, sensitivity, and specificity of diagnostic tests with computer modeling. Building on expansions during the COVID-19 pandemic, this project aims to further improve the utility of the FDA-ARGOS database as a key tool for medical countermeasure development and validation. | | | Upcoming events In case you missed it It's a good time to get your flu vaccine Influenza (flu) viruses typically spread in fall and winter, with activity peaking between December and February. Getting vaccinated now can lower your chances of getting the flu. | | | Why you should not use ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19 Some people are taking ivermectin, a drug often prescribed for animals, to try to prevent or treat COVID-19. FDA has not approved or authorized ivermectin for this use, and it can be dangerous for people. Information is also available in six additional languages. | | | List of hand sanitizers consumers should not use Some hand sanitizers have been recalled and there are more than 250 hand sanitizers the FDA recommends you stop using right away. Bookmark www.fda.gov/handsanitizerlist for the latest, and use our step-by-step search guide to find out if your product is on the list. | | | Find additional coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) updates on our website and in the Medical Countermeasures Initiative newsletter. Visit the FDA OMHHE website and follow us on Twitter at @FDAHealthEquity "Creating a world where health equity is a reality for all." www.fda.gov/healthequity |
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