Public Health Emergency PreparednessPublic Health Emergency Preparedness

Language Select

In Texas, everyone over 12 years of age is now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Also, Fort Bend County run COVID-19 vaccine sites now accept walk-up vaccinations! Please click here to view our vaccination sites.

Minor Consent Form: Click here to get the Minor Consent Form if you would like to complete it prior to bringing your child to be vaccinated. All children 12-17 years of age must provide a completed COVID Informed Consent – Minor Form signed by their parent or legal guardian at the vaccination site before they can be vaccinated.  The COVID Informed Consent – Minor Form is also available at each vaccination site to ensure that the child’s parent or legal guardian is able to complete prior to the child being vaccinated.

Please click here to read the Emergency Use Authorization COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheets before getting your vaccine.

Fort Bend County HHS is excited that the pause, and research that followed, allowed the CDC and FDA to confirm the safety of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. This research found that there were only about two cases of the rare clotting disorder were found per every one million doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine administered. We are committed to providing safe and effective vaccines that will permit our community to return to the activities we have been missing.

Many residents have been waiting for this vaccine to return to distribution. The CDC estimates that using the Johnson and Johnson vaccine in the United States will prevent more than 2,200 ICU admissions and 1,400 deaths in the next six months. Consequently we will make our supply of the Johnson and Johnson vaccines available to the public. As with all vaccines, we will make sure those who receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are aware of the risks and benefits. The majority of the vaccine Fort Bend County receives and administers is Pfizer. Residents will continue to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at our locations at no cost or insurance charge.

Volunteer at a FBC COVID-19 Vaccination Site

Community Use of Cloth Masks Help Control the Spread of COVID-19

HHS:   Vaccination Hotline (for questions only) 832-471-1373

Severe Pulmonary Illness Among Persons Who Report Vaping

**FOR USE BY HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS ONLY** – NOT for public distribution or posting as this message may contain potentially CONFIDENTIAL health information.

Severe Pulmonary Illness Among Persons Who Report Vaping

September 16, 2019

Background
As  the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) continues to investigate severe pulmonary illness among people who have reported vaping*, Harris County Public Health (HCPH) and Houston Health Department are investigating reports of severe pulmonary illness associated with vaping. We encourage healthcare providers to be vigilant and inquire about the use of electronic cigarette products. Some cases in Texas have reported vaping products containing nicotine and/or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Similar cases have occurred in multiple other states, some resulting in hospitalization or even death.

Fort Bend County Health & Human Services is working with DSHS and other local health departments to monitor the reports and provide updates and recommendations to providers and the community. Currently, there have not been any reported pulmonary illnesses among people who have reported vaping in Fort Bend County.

Clinical Presentation
Individuals experienced respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Some also experienced nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms worsened over a period of days or weeks before admission to the hospital. Illness severity has varied, and in some cases, severe lung disease has been reported. Many patients have required supplemental oxygen. Some have required assisted ventilation and oxygenation, and some were intubated.

According to DSHS, evaluation for infectious diseases was negative in all cases reported in Texas, and no alternative diagnosis (e.g., rheumatologic or neoplastic process) has been identified as the underlying cause of illness.

Radiologic findings have varied. On imaging, chest radiographs have demonstrated bilateral opacification, and CT imaging has demonstrated diffuse ground-glass opacification. Radiographic abnormalities have not been present in all patients upon initial presentation.

Disease Reporting
Cases with similar clinical presentation and history of vaping should be reported to local health departments (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

Texas Health and Safety Code Ch. 161 (Sec. 161.0211) requires DSHS to conduct epidemiologic or toxicologic investigations of human illness or conditions and of environmental exposures that are harmful or believed to be harmful to the public’s health.

Recommendations for Clinicians
Health care professionals should:
· Where appropriate, ask patients about history of inhalation drug use with electronic devices. If possible, inquire about the types of products used and methods of use.
· Be aware that the illness can worsen over time and some suspect cases have required high-level intensive care and respiratory support.
· During patient assessment, ensure that “vape”, “vaping”, or “e-cigarette” is noted in the chief complaint history when applicable.
· If vaping products used by the patient are available, ask that they be set aside (not used) in case it is needed for testing.
· At the direction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), DSHS will coordinate product specimen submission related to this investigation. If you have collected samples, please contact your local health department or DSHS at 512-422-0925 for sample submission instructions.

Additional recommendations for clinicians from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are available here: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00421.asp.

Recommendations for the Public
While this investigation is ongoing, our recommendation is for the general public to refrain from using e-cigarette products. People who experience difficulty breathing, cough, or other symptoms in the days or months after vaping should seek immediate medical attention.

Additional recommendations for the public from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are available here: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00421.asp.
The most recent health alert from DSHS can be found here: https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/releases/2019/HealthAlert-09052019.aspx

For More Information
For questions: DSHS Environmental Surveillance and Toxicology Branch 512-776-7268 or 512-422-0925 epitox@dshs.texas.gov
Get the facts about electronic cigarettes
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/tobacco/E-Cigarettes/
Information for Health Care Providers on adolescents and E-cigarette use https://www.txhealthsteps.com/static/courses/escape-the-vape/sections/section-1-1.html
The Safety Reporting Portal
https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov/SRP2/en/Home.aspx?sid=b394e227-7e7c-4edb-ae8a-3365096c8713
Texas Poison Center Network
https://www.poisoncontrol.org/e-cigarettes-and-vaping/

*Inhalation drug use with an electronic device (e.g., electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS), electronic cigarette, e-cigarette, vaporizer, vape(s), vape pen, dab pen, or other device) or dabbing to inhale substances (e.g., nicotine, marijuana, THC, THC concentrates, CBD, synthetic cannabinoids, flavorings, or other substances).

Houston Area Health Departments

Harris County Public Health
Telephone:    (713) 439-6000
Fax:                (713) 439-6306
After Hours:  (713) 755-5000
http://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/

Texas Department of State Health Services
Health Service Region 6/5 South
Telephone:    (713) 767-3000
Fax:                (713) 767-3006
After Hours:  (800) 270-3128
www.dshs.state.tx.us/region6-5/default.shtm

Montgomery County Public Health Department
Telephone:    (936) 523-5026
Fax:                (936) 539-9272
After Hours:  (888) 825-9754
https://mcphd-tx.org

Brazoria County Health Department
Telephone:    (979) 864-2168
Fax:                (979) 864-3694
After Hours:  (800) 511-1632
www.publichealthmatters.net

Houston Health Department
Telephone:    (832) 393-5080 (24 hr #)
Fax:                (832) 393-5232
www.houstontx.gov/health/index.htmlGalveston County Health District
Telephone:    (409) 938-2322
Fax:                (409) 938-2399
After Hours:  (888) 241-0442
www.gchd.org

 

Fort Bend County Health & Human Services
Telephone:    (281) 342-6414
Fax:                (281) 342-7371
After Hours:  (281) 434-6494
www.fortbendcountyhhs.com

Chambers County Health Department
Telephone:    (409) 267-2730
Fax:                (409) 267-4276
After Hours:  (409) 267-9862
https://www.co.chambers.tx.us/page/health.department