Office on Women's Health Blog
Latest Blog Post
Trump Administration Takes Action to Expand Access to COVID-19 Vaccines
Today, under the leadership of President Trump, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Assistant Secretary for Health, issued guidance under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) to expand access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines when they are made available. This guidance authorizes state-licensed pharmacists to order and administer, and state-licensed or registered pharmacy interns acting under the supervision of the qualified pharmacist to administer, COVID-19 vaccinations to persons ages 3 or older, subject to certain requirements. Read more
YouTube
HHS COVID-19 YouTube Channel: Check out the latest COVID-19 video from HHSSecretary Azar explains Operation Warp Speed
May 27,2020
Surgeon General Adams COVID-19 – Donate Blood Plasma and Help Save Lives
July 30,2020
All posts
HHS Extends Coverage For COVID-19 Screening Tests at Congregate Facilities during the Pandemic
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Assistant Secretary for Health, extended coverage under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) to licensed healthcare practitioners prescribing or administering point-of-care COVID-19 tests, using anterior nares specimen collection or self-collection, for screening in congregate facilities across the Nation. Enhancing the safety of nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, long-term-care facilities, and other facilities where people congregate to receive care or education or to work is critical for our Nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using COVID-19 tests to screen for infections, including in asymptomatic individuals, is a key part of that effort. Read more
Trump Administration Will Deploy 150 Million Rapid Tests in 2020
Major Investment made to scale up rapid point-of-care COVID-19 tests for vulnerable and schools Today, as part of an historic initiative led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of and Defense (DOD), the Administration awarded a contract for $760 million to Abbott for delivery of 150 million rapid, Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card Point of Care (POC) SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic tests to expand strategic, evidence-based testing in the United States. Testing will be potentially deployed to schools and to assist with serving other special needs populations. Read more
Catch Up to Get Ahead: The Role of Healthcare Providers in Getting Children Up-to-Date on Vaccines
RADM Felicia Collins M.D., MPH, FAAP, Dorothy Fink, M.D.
Vaccinations are more important than ever this year because of the disrupting impact that COVID-19 has had on the nation’s routinely recommended vaccination schedule. As we recognize National Immunization Awareness Month in August, protecting individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) is vital to keeping children healthy, preventing VPD outbreaks, and reducing the burden of infectious diseases.
HHS Expands Access to Childhood Vaccines during COVID-19 Pandemic
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a third amendment to the Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) to increase access to lifesaving childhood vaccines and decrease the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks as children across the United States return to daycare, preschool and school.
HHS Details Multiple COVID-19 Testing Statistics as National Test Volume Surges
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that more than 59 million COVID-19 tests have now been completed nationally – averaging over 810,000 per day over the past seven days. Over the past month, the percentage of lab tests that were completed within three days was 45; over the last seven days, it was over 56.
The Impact of the Pandemic on Pregnancy: A Research Response
Dorothy Fink, M.D., Diana W. Bianchi, M.D.
HHS is committed to strengthening maternal health and ending health disparities through research efforts that address life-threatening pregnancy complications.
Leveling the Playing Field: Promoting Sports Activities During a Pandemic
RADM Felicia Collins M.D., MPH, FAAP, Dorothy Fink, M.D.
The YES Initiative supports collaborations to improve youth physical activity and nutrition via increased sports participation
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for a rapid, point-of-care, SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test BD Veritor Plus System.
The Nation's Doctor to America: #COVIDStopsWithMe
The U.S. Surgeon General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today released a public service announcement (PSA) ahead of the Fourth of July weekend imploring Americans to take action and to remember: COVID Stops With Me.
Today, the Trump Administration recognized and thanked the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps at its Headquarters, as the USPHS continues to deploy more than two-thirds of its force to support the fight against the COVID-19 public health emergency.
