COVID-19 Booster Shots Available at Health Department

The CDC is now recommending COVID-19 booster shots for some individuals. To be eligible, at least 6 months must have passed since a second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals must also be at increased risk of severe illness or exposure because of age, underlying health conditions, employment, or living in an institutional setting, such as a long-term care facility. COVID-19 vaccine is free and local health care providers, pharmacies, and the St. Clair County Health Department.

“Vaccination remains our best protection against severe COVID illness and death,” says Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer with the St. Clair County Health Department. “We have prioritized making COVID vaccination as easy as possible, but also want to remind everyone that vaccination is now widely available at doctor’s offices and pharmacies. We continue to use multiple strategies to ensure equitable access to vaccine and booster doses. Please get vaccinated or boosted wherever is most accessible for you.”

At this time, the Pfizer booster authorization only applies to people whose primary series was Pfizer vaccine. People in the recommended groups who got the Moderna or J&J/Janssen vaccine will likely need a booster shot. More data on the effectiveness and safety of Moderna and J&J/Janssen booster shots are expected soon.

Pfizer Booster Eligibility

The CDC recommendation for Pfizer booster doses 6 months after the second dose includes:

  • Older adults (65 years and older)
  • Adults in long-term care or other institutional settings
  • People aged 18-64 years with certain underlying health conditions
  • Adults working in certain jobs where they are at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19

o   First responders (healthcare workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff)

o   Education staff (teachers, support staff, daycare workers)

o   Food and agriculture workers

o   Manufacturing workers

o   Corrections workers

o   U.S. Postal Service workers

o   Public transit workers

o   Grocery store workers

o   This list could be updated in the future.

To schedule an appointment at the St. Clair County Health Department call (810) 987-5300.

Email COVID-19 questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org or call the informational hotline (810) 966-4163. Visit the website www.scchealth.co and follow us on social media @scchdmi.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Health Department

SC4 Continues Arts Rebirth with David Fisher Concert 

St. Clair County Community College is experiencing a rebirth of their community arts effort. One example is this week’s Noon Concert Series featuring SC4’s own David Fisher. 

Fisher is an adjunct faculty member in the music department at SC4 and will be sharing his piano talent at the concert. Fisher will be playing Schubert’s first set of Four Impromptus and music from four other composers. The concert is free to attend in-person at the SC4 Fine Arts Theatre or to watch through the live-streaming service. There are performances at both noon and 7:00 p.m.

Ethan J. Flick, Community Arts Director at SC4 said, “The Noon Concert Series epitomizes the inseparable link between the College and the surrounding community that sustains it. “

Flick said, “While the core mission of the College is, and always will be academic in nature, the broader purpose of SC4 is to enrich lives and expand opportunities. The Noon Concert Series plays an instrumental part toward that larger purpose by providing free community access to a variety of musical genres and performance groups. The ultimate goal of the series is to enrich, educate, and entertain.”

 A link to more information: https://sc4.edu/campus-life/arts/free-thursday-concert-series/

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PHS Strongly Encourages Quarantining if Exposed, Despite Rescinded Orders

The signing of the State Budget last week brought some confusing legislation into reality. Because of the threat of lost funding if local health departments issue COVID-19 mitigation mandates, the St. Clair County Health Department reluctantly rescinded quarantine orders out of fear of losing over a half-million dollars in state funding.

This order left school districts in limbo. Port Huron Schools Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas met with the Health Department and issued “strong recommendations” where possible and reinforced CDC mandates such as mask-wearing on buses.

Quarantine orders are the major issue for the district and Kerhoulas said that positive cases are still required to quarantine, but close contacts are now strongly recommended to quarantine. Mask wearing is encouraged and sick kids must stay home.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer at the Health Department, encouraged quarantining as an effective way to slow the spread of the disease, saying, “Our concern is that failure to comply with public health guidance will disproportionately affect those unable to get vaccinated and our most vulnerable. Taking care of our weakest will make us all stronger.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MPSC Says No to DTE’s $3.1 Million in Charges

The Michigan Public Service Commission has approved disallowing DTE Energy to recover over $3.1 million from customers.

Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel advocated for the ruling. Nessel said, “Utility consumers throughout the state pay large amounts of money to ensure that their energy is delivered safely, reliably, and in a manner that meets all state and federal environmental regulations.”

According to the Attorney General’s office, DTE provides electricity to approximately 2.2 million customers in Southeast Michigan and natural gas to 1.3 million customers across the state.  

The Department of Attorney General routinely sits in on Power Supply Cost Recovery cases as an advocate for consumers. Nessel argued against passing added costs on to consumers.

The Attorney General’s office also launched an online feedback initiative where consumers could weigh in on power outages, which were lengthy and widespread after severe weather this year. Over 4500 citizens have participated. There are also efforts underway to track tree trimming and prioritize customers and grids prone to outages.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Spero Needs Winter Baby Clothes

Spero Pregnancy Center in Port Huron is asking for help and all it takes is a few clicks on a smartphone or computer to help out.

Spero needs clothes and supplies for the children of their clients. They have a registry on Amazon that makes it easy to shop for the exact items that are needed and have them shipped right to the center. Winter baby clothes are at the top of the list right now. Diapers are always needed, but if donors are looking to make a bigger gift, car seats and cribs are on the registry also.

Clients at Spero Pregnancy Center take parenting classes and then choose items from the Baby Boutique to help them in caring for their babies.

The clothing items on the wishlist are basics for dressing a baby during a Michigan winter: warm layers. If donors decide to do shopping themselves, an appointment is needed to drop off items at Spero.

Spero is also looking for volunteers who wish to help mothers, fathers, and babies who need support. Training for new volunteers will be held October 7th -28th.

A link to the Amazon wishlist and training information can be found below.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/32W7LJFGGG8N7?ref_=wl_fv_le

Interested in volunteering? call 810.985.GIFT. Please send any inquiries and/or questions to Clients@BlueWaterBabies.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland