COVID-19 updates

• Wants to get the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine despite the safety concerns.
• Had a severe reaction after an mRNA vaccine dose or who have a severe allergy to an ingredient of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines).
• Would otherwise remain unvaccinated for COVID-19 due to limited access to Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines).

Mandates:

• Face masks are required on Public Transportation & at Transportation hubs
• Negative COVID-19 test, or documentation of recovery needed to board a flight in the U.S.

Recommendations:

• get the COVID-19 & flu vaccines
• wear a mask 
  • unvaccinated and vaccinated, with weakened immune systems- wear a mask when you are in indoor public spaces
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Recommendations:

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Texa Department of State Health Services recommends everyone vaccinated

Mandates:

• Oct 11, 2021
  no entity in Texas can compel receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination by any individual, including an employee or consumer, who objects to such vaccination for any reason of personal conscience, based on a religious belief, or for medical reasons, including prior recovery from COVID-19

Recommendations:

• Harris County Public Health ( HCPH) suggests everyone who qualifies receive the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots
• HCPH  is providing free COVID-19 vaccinations in multiple locations across Harris County.

As of November 8, 2021 all US travel restrictions for Fully Vaccinated foreign travelers, are lifted.

Foreign nationals (not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents):

• Will need to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a vaccine approved by the World Heath Organization (WHO) or U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 when you travel to the U.S. by air.
• You must wear a mask over your nose and mouth in indoor areas of public transportation (including airports) traveling into, within, or out of the U.S.

 U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents:

• When you travel to the U.S. by air, you are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before you board your flight.
• You must wear a mask over your nose and mouth in indoor areas of public transportation (including airports) traveling into, within, or out of the U.S.

Though the COVID-19 vaccines were developed rapidly, all steps were taken to make sure they are safe and effective.

1. Scientists have been working to develop vaccines to fight similar viruses for many years
2. In the US, all vaccines go through three phases of clinical trials to ensure they are safe and effective.  The COVID-19 vaccines were approved for use faster because they overlapped the three phases to speed up access to the public
3. Before any vaccine is made availiable in the US, the FDA assesses the findings of all clinical trials.
4. The US government used substantial resources to get the vaccine manufactured and distributed as soon as the FDA authorized their use.
5. The COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring had been the most thorough and comprehensive in US history,  allowing the CDC and FDA to continuously update information on the  safety of these vaccines.
6. Hundreds of millions of Americans have received one of the COVID-19 vaccines, allowing the Scientific and medical community to verify the safety and efficacy of the three authorised vaccines

Updated: November 3, 2021

On October 19, 2021, the FDA issued an EUA (emergency use authorization to allow for the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in individuals age 5 to 11 years old.  On November 2, 2021 the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices unanimously recommended that children ages 5-11 be vaccinated against COVID-19, with the Pfizer vaccine.

Is it the Same as the Adult Vaccine?

No - Pfizer's pediatric vaccine is a different product than the vaccine used for adolescents and adults.

Updated: October 24, 2021

If you are fully vaccinated you should still have strong protection against hospitalization and death from COVID-19, but immunity against infection can wane over time: this is why we have to get a flu shot every year.  Because the Delta Variant is more virulent, the CDC wants to make sure immunocompromised people have the strongest protection possible

U.S. health authorities want to ensure people with higher risks have the strongest protection possible protection in at-risk people who were vaccinated months ago — although the priority remains getting the unvaccinated their first shots.

Updated: November 19, 2021

On November 19, the Food and Drug Administration authorized COVID-19 booster for all adults 18  years or older, at least 6 months after they received their initial shots, with the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-A9 vaccines.    It now must be approved by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's advisory committee, before going being implemented.

Pfizer-BioNTech: 

• 65 years and older:
  Recommended -  people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings
  (at least 5 months after first series of doses)
  
  
• 50–64 years old:
  Recommended -  people 50–64 years old with underlying medical conditions  
  (at least 5  months after first series of doses)
  
  
• 18–49 years old:
  (conditionally recommended) -  people 18–49 years old with underlying medical conditions - based on their individual benefits and risks.
  (at least 5 months after first series of doses)
  
  
• 18-64 years old:
  (conditionally recommended) - people 18-64 years old who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting - based on their individual benefits and risks.
  (at least 5 months after first series of doses)

Moderna:

• 65 years and older: Recommended -  people 65 years and older or residents in long-term care settings,
  (at least 5 months after first series of doses)

• 18 years and older:
  (conditionally recommended) - people 18-years or older who are immunocompromised or are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting - based on their individual benefits and risks.
  (at least 5 months after first series of doses)

J&J/Janssen:

• 18 and older:
  Recommended -  all people 18 and older regardless of age or other factors
  (at least 2 months after first series of doses)

Updated: October 24, 2021

If your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if from Pfizer or Moderna, you should receive your second dose using the same type of vaccine.

After you receive your two shots of Pfizer or Moderna, you may receive a booster of any approved vaccine after the suggested amount of time has passed.

(See "Can I get a Booster Shot?" for specifics to see if  and when you would be approved for a booster shot.)

• The CDC states that after a minimum of 5 days have passed since you first tested positive, you may end isolation and quarantine, as long as you have remained asymptomatic
  
• The CDC recommends that after leaving isolation or quarantine, asymptomatic individuals, continue social distancing and wearing a mask when around others, for at least 5 days

Develop and implement appropriate policies, in accordance with Federal, State, and local regulations and guidance, and informed by industry best practices, regarding:

• Social distancing and protective equipment
• Temperature checks
• Sanitation
• Use and disinfection of common and high-traffic areas
• Business travel

Monitor workforce for indicative symptoms.

Employees who have symptoms or test positive, should immediately isolate and should not return to work without a negative COVID test or at least 5 days after symptom onset.

As of February 28, 2022, the FMCSA waiver is no longer in effect.

Updated: September 1, 2021

The following changes have been extended until April 30, 2022.

"Effective April 1, 2021, DHS is also providing the following update to its Form I-9 flexibilities guidance.

The flexibility announcement issued on March 20, 2020, notes that DHS will evaluate certain COVID-19-related Form I-9 completion practices on a case-by-case basis as they relate to the physical inspection of Form I-9 documentation. Accordingly, as of April 1, 2021, the requirement that employers inspect employees’ Form I-9 identity and employment eligibility documentation in-person applies only to those employees who physically report to work at a company location on any regular, consistent, or predictable basis."

Temporary policy for Expired List B Documents-

• Beginning May 1, 2022, Employers will no longer be able to accept expired List B documents.

https://www.transportation.gov/coronavirus

Questions about the vaccine? Visit the CDC's dedicated vaccine page.