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December 30, 2022
SPANISH / PORTUGUESE
Rhode Island Community Partner Update
Vaccine News
Start the New Year with a Bivalent Vaccine
 Bivalent vaccines are vaccines that protect against two strains of COVID-19. Both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna make bivalent COVID-19 vaccines that protect against the original strain of the virus that causes COVID-19 and against Omicron subvariants. Previously, these bivalent vaccines were available as booster doses to people 5 or older. On December 8, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized and recommended that these bivalent vaccines be available to children 6 months and older.
CDC now recommends the following vaccination schedules:
- Children 6 months through 4 years who got a Moderna primary series (two doses of Moderna) should get a Moderna bivalent booster at least two months after their second dose.
- Children 6 months through 4 years who got a Pfizer primary series (three doses of Pfizer) are not recommended to get a bivalent booster dose at this time. Instead, the third dose of the primary series is now a bivalent vaccine (i.e., Pfizer’s primary series for this age group is now two doses of monovalent vaccine and a third dose of bivalent vaccine).
- Children 5 years who got the Moderna primary series should get a bivalent booster from either Moderna or Pfizer at least two months after their second dose.
- Children 5 years who got the Pfizer primary series (two doses of Pfizer) should get a Pfizer bivalent booster at least two months after their primary series.
CDC has two infographics to help explain COVID-19 vaccination schedules:
CDC has two infographics to help explain COVID-19 vaccination schedules:
Rhode Island providers have begun ordering bivalent vaccine for this age group. To get a bivalent vaccine for your child, please speak with your healthcare provider or visit vaccines.gov. If you have questions about the right COVID-19 vaccination schedule for your child, please speak with your healthcare provider.
COVID-19 Vaccines Help Keep Kids Healthy and Moving Forward!
 Covid-19 can put plans on hold for days or weeks. RIDOH is excited to announce the launch of the Keep Kids Healthy and Moving Forward campaign on December 12, as a reminder to not let COVID-19 interrupt our kids’ activities. Keep them healthy and moving forward by keeping them up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. Please help us amplify this important message by sharing the campaign on your social networks.
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Test for COVID-19 This Holiday Season
 Did you get together with friends and family over the Christmas Holiday? If you start having #COVID19 symptoms, take a test right away. Plus: #TestToTreat makes it easier and faster to get lifesaving COVID-19 treatments if you're eligible. Find a Test to Treat location near you: https://aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat
If you plan to head out for New Years Celebrations, test yourself for COVID-19 before you go. Learn more at covid.ri.gov/testing. You can also order free COVID-19 tests kits from the federal government. Every household is now eligible to order 4 additional tests. Placing an order online or by phone is free, easy, and fast. Visit COVIDTests.gov or call 1-800-232-0233
Upcoming Panel Discussion Addresses Increasing Tobacco Cessation Programs
Prevalence of tobacco use has increased in areas of Rhode Island, yet according to the claims data, referral to evidence-based cessation programs has declined. Smoking cessation is helpful at any age, improves health status, and quality of life.
Healthcentric Advisors is hosting a virtual panel discussion on Thursday, January 12th at 1pm to address how organizations can work to increase their referrals to evidence-based cessation programs and to utilize community partners across the spectrum.
After attending the session, participants will be able to,
1. Recognize the impact the pandemic had on tobacco use in Rhode Island,
2. Describe evidence-based strategies to assess tobacco use, to provide cessation counseling, and to refer for additional support, and
3. Establish a referral and feedback loop that allows you to track your patients’ progress.
The discussion is free to attend and open to the public. Click here to register.
Substance Use and Overdose Prevention Update
Check out the December Newsletter
The December Governor’s Overdose Task Force Newsletter features meeting highlights, such as a review of the Task Force Strategic Plan Metrics and Future Directions, and a Year in Review: Highlights from the Task Force Strategic Plan Pillars; plus updates on a statewide public awareness campaign, recent testRI findings, and other news. https://bit.ly/3WygCzL If you or someone you know would like to sign up to receive this newsletter, please share this link: bit.ly/3C4FHLB
TestRI Findings on Non-Pharmaceutical “Xanax”
 A testRI provider advisory was sent out about recent findings on non-pharmaceutical “Xanax.” testRI is a two-year research study done through the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), in partnership with Brown University School of Public Health, to find out what is in the local drug supply in Rhode Island and how changes to the supply are impacting people who use drugs in our communities. Read the provider advisory here: https://bit.ly/3hn8BP5
Data from all samples tested in the study can be found on Rhode Island’s overdose information website and data dashboard, PreventOverdoseRI.org.
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