Public Health Emergency PreparednessPublic Health Emergency Preparedness

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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

West Nile Virus

About Human West Nile Neuroninvasive Disease

Eighty percent (80%) of people who are infected with West Nile Virus (WNV) will show no symptoms at all. Up to 20% of the people who become infected will experience West Nile Fever. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have become sick for several weeks. About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness known as West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND). Symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.

Most common symptoms/signs of West Nile Fever and West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease:

  • West Nile Fever (WNF)–fever, headache, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, skin rash and swollen lymph glands.
  • West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND) – headache, high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, coma and paralysis.

2009-2017 Statistics Overview

Fort Bend County West Nile Data 2009-2017

Year Mosquito Pool Horse Bird Human West Nile Fever Human West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease Total Human Cases Human Death
2018 3 0 0 0 2 2 0
2017 2 1 0 0 0 0 0
2016 1 0 0 0 2 2 0
2015 13 0 0 0 2 2 0
2014 11 0 0 2 2 4 0
2013 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
2012 21 2 0 10 4 14 0
2011 4 0 0 0 0 0 0
2010 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2009 2 0 0 0 0 0 0

Source: Texas DSHS

Fort Bend County Monitors West Nile Virus for Disease Control

When an area has mosquito samples that test positive for WNV, Fort Bend County Road & Bridge, or the appropriate city department, takes a focused response to prevent mosquito breeding by increasing spraying and larviciding in the area until a sample of mosquitoes tests negative for the virus. Fort Bend County does NOT spray for nuisance mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are sprayed for vector borne disease prevention only. Testing is conducted by trapping mosquitoes and submitting the sample to be tested for viruses.  Mosquitoes positive for WNV do not necessarily lead to human cases of disease. There have been no human cases of WNV in the County so far this year.

Fort Bend County monitors the type and numbers of mosquitoes present and submits samples for WNV testing. The County also sprays for nuisance mosquitoes but increases spraying and larviciding in areas where mosquito samples have tested positive for WNV.

Fort Bend County Health & Human Services encourages all residents, regardless of their location, to protect themselves and family against mosquito bites.  Remember the 4D’s: dress in loose light colored clothing to cover legs and arms, use repellent that contains DEET, avoid going outside at dusk and dawn, and drain standing water.

Spraying can only impact the mosquitoes where the spray reaches. Some backyards with high privacy fences can not be sprayed by a spray truck. The best practice to prevent mosquitoes around the home is to drain any standing water (flowerpots, trash cans) and if necessary, spray yards with commercial sprays available at most home improvement stores. Together, we can reduce the risk of WNV in our communities.

West Nile Virus is a potentially serious illness that spreads when infected mosquitoes bite humans and other animals. Symptoms include high fever, headaches, neck stiffness, nausea, and vomiting. It is important to note that 80% of people infected with WNV will show no symptoms at all, and only 1 in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe symptoms. Severe symptoms include fever, and may include unusually intense headaches or confusion. If these symptoms develop seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms will appear 3-14 days after a person has been bitten by an infected mosquito.

Protect yourself from mosquitoes by remembering the four D’s:

  • DUSK/DAWN are the times of day you should try to stay indoors. This is when infected mosquitoes are most active.
  • DRESS in long sleeves and pants when you’re outside. For extra protection, you may want to spray thin clothing with repellent.
  • DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is an ingredient to look for in your insect repellent. Follow label instructions, and always wear repellent when outdoors. Apply sunscreen first and then mosquito repellent. Reapply after sweating and swimming in the same order.
  • DRAIN standing water in your backyard and neighborhood – old tires, flowerpots, and clogged rain gutters. These are mosquito-breeding sites.