North Central Austin Edition | June 2022

2022 HEALTH CARE EDITION

COVID19 shots approved for young children

Austin State Hospital preserves artifacts found during construction

BY GLORIE MARTINEZ & BEN THOMPSON

COMMON COVID19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED

On June 21, Austin Public Health announced it would begin oering COVID-19 shots for children as young as six months. A few days earlier, federal regulators approved two options; a Moderna shot for children six months to ve years old and a Pzer vaccine for children six months to four years old. “This vaccine expansion comes at a critical time when we’re dealing with new subvariants and high community transmission,” said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority, in a press release. “These vaccines will help to protect your children from severe COVID-19 symptoms and being hospitalized.” In June, Travis County briey entered the medium community spread level on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scale before returning to the low level as of press time, June 21. The COVID-19 case uctuation came as two omi- cron subvariants—BA.4 and BA.5—began spreading in the area, according to Austin Public Health. “We have immunity in our community right now that’s holding; we’re not seeing a surge in hospital admissions,” Walkes said. Vaccinations, booster shots and testing remain the most eective measures against increased case

Who can get a booster shot?

BY KATY MCAFEE

More than 6,500 artifacts have been discovered during the construction of the new Austin State Hospital building. The artifacts, dating as far back as 1861, are remnants from Texas’ oldest known psychi- atric hospital, which was named Texas State Lunatic Asylum until 1925. Archeologists found farming tools; sewing supplies; and personal items such as dolls, socks and thousands of porcelain buttons, according to Stacey Thompson, superinten- dent for the Austin State Hospital. Some of the artifacts will be displayed at the Bullock Texas State History Museum from June to October. Due to their fragility, the vast majority of the artifacts will go to an archeological repository where they will be in a controlled environment, safe for preserva- tion. Eventually, the artifacts will be available for request. Construction is expected to be completed in November 2023.

Children ages 5-11 can get a booster ve months after completing their primary vaccine series.

Children ages 6 months and older are eligible for primary COVID-19 vaccinations.

Adults ages 50 and older are eligible for a second booster dose at least four months after their rst.

Where can I get a vaccine/booster? • Find vaccine providers at vaccines.gov (vacunas. gov in Spanish) or text your ZIP code to 438829. • Austin Public Health clinics are free and require no identication, insurance or appointment.

SOURCE: AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTHCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

counts as the community moves into the summer season, according to APH. The CDC reports that BA.4 and BA.5 have caused a spike in cases abroad and spread quickly.

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NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION • JUNE 2022