Coronavirus Update

The risk of coronavirus remains low for Delawareans and there have been no confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Delaware to date. The Delaware Division of Public Health is leading the effort to ensure that Delawareans are prepared. The best practices to stay healthy and to avoid spreading germs: Wash your hands. Cover your cough. Disinfect surfaces frequently. Stay home if you are sick. Watch the full press conference here.

DPH Press Release: Potential Covid-19 Spread Preparations

DELAWARE DETAILS PREPARATIONS FOR POTENTIAL SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) DOVER (Feb. 26, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is actively taking steps to prepare for community spread of the coronavirus disease known as COVID-19, as well as providing information to Delawareans about the actions they can take now to make preparations. To date, no one in Delaware has tested positive for COVID-19. “While the CDC’s comments this week indicate heightened concern, it is important to note that we have been making preparations all along to not only contain the spread of the disease, should it occur Read More …

DPH Announces Additional Flu-Related Deaths

DPH ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL FLU-RELATED DEATHS, PROVIDES GUIDANCE TO AVOID ILLNESS DOVER (Feb. 21, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) continues to urge individuals to take steps to prevent the flu as the number of confirmed flu cases continues to increase, and health officials announce additional flu-related deaths for the 2019-2020 season. To date, nine Delawareans have passed away due to flu-related complications during the 2019-2020 flu season. All nine individuals had underlying medical conditions. Most recently, an 83-year-old woman from New Castle County who was diagnosed with influenza A passed away this week due to complications from the Read More …

Eleven Americans evacuated from a quarantined cruise ship were confirmed to have the new coronavirus

Eleven Americans evacuated from a quarantined cruise ship were confirmed to have the new coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the U.S. to 26. Now the State Department is under scrutiny for having flown them them back home on the same planes as uninfected Americans, ignoring advice from the CDC. Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/coronavirus-diamond-princess-cruise-americans/2020/02/20/b6f54cae-5279-11ea-b119-4faabac6674f_story.html

State of the ImmUnion, 2020

Vaccinate Your Family has shared its 2020 State of the ImmUnion Report. Highlights: The vaccination of children born between 1994 and 2018 will prevent: 419 Million Illnesses 936,000 deaths $1.9 trillion in total societal costs Vaccines given in pregnancy reduce infants’ risk of hospitalization Due to the flu by 70% Due to whooping cough by 91%  Read the whole report!

DPH Announces Second Negative Test Result for Coronavirus

DOVER (February 13, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing that one of two pending test results for 2019 novel coronavirus (now known as COVID-19) has come back negative. The individual has been discharged from the hospital and is continuing to recover from their underlying illness at home. Test results for one other person are still pending from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are expected in the coming days. The individual, a New Castle County resident, remains hospitalized until test results are returned. No additional information is being provided about either individual. In Read More …

State of the ImmUnion – 2019

Every year, Vaccinate Your Family (VYF) writes and distributes a State of the ImmUnion report to help examine the strength of our country’s defenses against vaccine-preventable diseases, and what we can do, as public health advocates and policymakers to make our country stronger and more resilient in the face of emerging health threats. Read the report here: https://www.vaccinateyourfamily.org/join-us-in-support-of-vaccines/make-a-national-impact/state-of-the-immunion-report/

Immunization Coalitions Request

Vaccinate Your Family asked immunization coalitions throughout the states to add their name to a letter requesting U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to vaccinate those people – particularly children – in their custody against influenza.   The ICD added our name to a list of 54 signatories that was shared with Acting Secretary McAleenan, Secretary Azar, Director Redfield, and Surgeon General Adams. https://www.vaccinateyourfamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Immunization-Community-Request-for-the-Vaccination-of-Detainees-in-CBP-Custody-October-2019_final.pdf