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August 18, 2022
SPANISH / PORTUGUESE
Rhode Island COVID-19 Partner Update
COVID-19 News
CDC Quarantine and Isolation Guidance
On August 11, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance for people who have COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. RIDOH is currently reviewing this guidance. Rhode Islanders should continue to follow Rhode Island’s existing quarantine and isolation guidance. Any updates to Rhode Island’s quarantine and isolation guidance will be posted on covid.ri.gov/whattodo and RIDOH’s social media. Thank you for your patience.
Information about Novavax Vaccine
There are now four recommended COVID-19 vaccines that work well to prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19. Novavax may be newly recommended, but it was made the same way other vaccines, like the flu and hepatitis B vaccines, have been made for over thirty years. Learn more about the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine here. Find a Novavax COVID-19 vaccine near you at Vaccines.Gov.
Vaccine Information for Families
As the summer winds down and families get ready to go back to school, make sure you and your children are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.
How do I stay up to date with my COVID-19 vaccines?
Being “up to date” with your COVID-19 vaccines means getting all recommended doses—including booster doses when you are eligible.
Use the Up-to-Date Tool at C19VaccineRI.org to see when you are considered “up to date.”
COVID-19 vaccine recommendations are different for different people and depend on age, health status, and when you were first vaccinated. Please see the CDC guidance here for more information.
Where can children get vaccinated for COVID-19?
Children can get vaccinated at most places that offer COVID-19 vaccines.
- Many pediatric and family medicine practices are enrolled as providers of COVID-19 vaccine. Contact your child’s healthcare provider to learn if they are vaccinating children.
- Retail pharmacies (e.g., CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Stop & Shop) can vaccinate children age 3 or older. Visit the websites of these pharmacies for more information. Please note that CVS Minute Clinics are not considered pharmacies, but healthcare clinics. CVS Minute Clinics can vaccinate children as young as 18 months.
- To find COVID-19 vaccines near you, visit Vaccines.Gov.
When making an appointment, make sure that you choose the right vaccine for your child’s age. For example, some vaccines are for children age 6 months through 5 years. Other vaccines are for children age 5 through 11.
Can children get the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine?
No. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is currently authorized and recommended for people age 18 or older.
Should children who have already been sick with COVID-19 get vaccinated?
Yes. CDC recommends that children who have been sick with COVID-19 get vaccinated. Evidence shows that people can get more protection by getting vaccinated after being sick with COVID-19.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions page, available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Drug Overdose and Substance Use Prevention News
Public Health Alert: Increased Drug Overdose Activity in Woonsocket
 On August 10, RIDOH and the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH) issued a Public Health Alert due to increased non-fatal opioid overdose activity in Woonsocket (Region 2). This alert is prompted by an exceedance of the state’s opioid overdose threshold for a seven-day period, from July 31, 2022 to Aug. 6, 2022. For more information, click here to see the full Alert.
International Overdose Awareness Day is Coming Soon
August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day. This full day of powerful, interactive events provides a dedicated time for people to come together as one community to raise awareness about overdose, address the stigma of drug-related deaths, and recognize the significant grief and loss of loved ones. For more information, visit Events 2022 - International Overdose Awareness Day.
As part of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, volunteers (individuals or organizations) are being sought to join in a statewide distribution of 3,000 Narcan kits. Sign up to volunteer
Governor McKee's Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force Newsletter for August
Check out the latest Task Force newsletter and get caught up on this month’s meeting highlights, including an Overdose Fatality Review and discussion of overdose trends and priorities, presentations on resources available for children and teens experiencing grief and programs available for recovery, an update on the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee’s funding proposal, and an overview of upcoming events for International Overdose Awareness Day and National Recovery Month.
The newsletter also connects you to Task Force work group happenings, upcoming events, and local resources. If someone you know would like to receive this newsletter, please share this link.
A Reminder that September is National Recovery Month
September is National Recovery Month, with numerous events taking place throughout Rhode Island. Among these are the 2022 Rally 4 Recovery that is taking place on Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Roger Williams Park Temple to Music from noon to 4 p.m. There will be a job fair, resources, music, food, crafts, a raffle, and more. See details here.
Bereavement Resources are Available
There are resources available if you or someone you care about has been impacted by the loss of a loved one due to drug overdose. Download and print these bereavement, peer support, and counseling services resource listings and share with your networks:
Download RIDOH’s Latest Podcast
 This week’s guest expert on the Public Health Out Loud podcast is Dr. Patricia Cioe, an Associate Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences at Brown University. Dr. Cioe’s current research is focused on the effects of cigarette smoking on one’s health, and the development of innovative smoking cessation interventions for people living with HIV.
Co-hosts Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan ask Dr. Cioe about the difference between combustible cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and vapes. They also talk about the health effects of smoking tobacco and different methods for decreasing or quitting smoking. Download this week’s episode to learn more.
Quitting tobacco is a journey. Whether you’re thinking about quitting, aren’t yet ready to quit, or have already quit, the Rhode Island Nicotine Helpline can help you each step of the way. Call 1-800-Quitnow, visit quitnowRI.org, or talk to your healthcare provider about quitting smoking.
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