COVID

COVID-19 Resources

CDC FAQs about COVID-19 Vaccination

Guidance for Isolation and Quarantine

COVID-19 Active Cases

See case data from KDHE

COVID-19 Updates and Announcements

COVID-19 Vaccine Available at SEK Multi-County Health Department:

Pfizer - Primary doses available; Pfizer Bivalent Boosters NOW AVAILABLE!

On April 18, 2023 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 bivalent mRNA vaccines to simplify the vaccination schedule for most individuals. This action includes authorizing the current bivalent vaccines (original and omicron BA.4/BA.5 strains) to be used for all doses administered to individuals 6 months of age and older, including for an additional dose or doses for certain populations.

The monovalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use in the United States.

On April 19, 2023 the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met to discuss the FDAs announcement. 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) COVID-19 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.

In the coming days, CDC will update our website, including the Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States and additional COVID-19 vaccine webpages.

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

Does your office still handle investigations and quarantine recommendations?

Our offices are no longer investigating COVID-19 cases. If you have tested positive and have questions, you may call your local health department. If you would like answers on when you should return to work, school, etc. please call the COVID-19 hotline (866) 534-3463.

Do I need to make an appointment to get the vaccine?

Yes. At this time, it is necessary to make an appointment to get vaccinated at SEKMCHD.

How much does the vaccine cost?

There is no cost to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The federal government provides the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States, no matter their immigration or health insurance status. No one can be denied a vaccine if they're unable to pay an admin fee.

Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccination?

COVID-19 vaccines are available through the health department, pharmacies and physician offices. You can also use VaccineFinder to find COVID-19 vaccines near you.

I already had COVID-19. Do I need to get the vaccine?

Yes, health experts recommend getting vaccinated whether or not you have already had COVID-19. At this time, experts are still learning how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, it is possible, but rare, that you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 again. If you've had COVID-19 in the past 90 days, talk to your doctor about when you should get vaccinated.

Visit the CDC website for more answers to FAQs.