Community Health Updates

fairfield
September 30, 2021
Today marks the end of National Suicide Prevention Month and National Recovery Month. Though we highlight these issues during September, these are things we work on together all year. Speaking of working together, I am overjoyed to share the news that Fairfield CARES Community Coalition, which Superintendent Mike Cummings and I co-chair has secured a $625,000 five year Drug Free Communities Grant from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Please read on to learn more about the grant, COVID booster shots, and the dates for the Fairfield Flu Clinic. These are many opportunities for us to work together to keep our community healthy, safe and strong.
Fairfield CARES members Phil Dwyer, Cathy Hazlett, Reini, Knorr
Fairfield CARES Secures $625,000 Drug Free Communities Grant

Our local prevention council, Fairfield CARES, has secured a five year grant that will help strengthen collaboration among community agencies to address youth substance use in Fairfield and reduce and prevent alcohol and cannabis use by Fairfield’s 7th to 12th grade students. The grant award is the fruit of years of work by parent volunteers, and follows years of partnership with Positive Directions in Westport who had a state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services grant to work together with Fairfield CARES. The new grant will be a formal partnership with the Fairfield Public Schools and allow us to broaden and deepen our ability to reach young people and their families. You can read more about the grant and our work at Fairfield CARES by clicking here.

If you are interested in volunteering and helping the coalition continue its work, please reach out to me.
CDC Approves COVID-19 Booster

Good news! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended booster shots for certain individuals who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine which includes:
  • Individuals 65 years of age and older
  • Frontline workers ages 18 to 64 who are at risk of exposure
  • Long-term nursing home residents
  • Individuals with certain high-risk, underlying medical conditions

Booster shots were previously approved for those who are immunocompromised in mid-August.

Although people who have received two vaccine doses still have significant protection against COVID-19, a third dose is a chance for older adults and those most at risk to reinforce their immunity. Those who received the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are not yet eligible for booster shots.

Booster shots may be administered six months after the second vaccine dose. Those who are eligible for a booster shot can click here to sign up. Booster shots will be available at hospital vaccine sites, at urgent care clinics and pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens.
 
The COVID-19 vaccine remains our greatest weapon against this deadly virus. As new variants continue to develop and spread, it is critical that everyone get vaccinated. I encourage all those who have not yet gotten vaccinated, to click here and schedule an appointment.
Pfizer Vaccine Receives Full FDA Approval

During COVID times, this may be deemed "Old News," but it is an important point to make with the CDC's recommendation for boosters mentioned above. On August 23, the FDA announced its full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. This welcome news solidified the safety and efficacy correlated with the COVID vaccine and its ability to combat the virus.
Suicide Prevention and Recovery

I was honored to co-host Tom Steen, a master QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) trainer alongside Rep. Welander and Sen Maroney earlier this week. As a certified QPR trainer myself, I will be working in concert with Fairfield CARES to offer more QPR opportunities to our community. Also this week, Sacred Heart University hosted the 8th Annual Recovery celebration at the community theater. I was honored to join SHU President Petillo and former Chief MacNamara to celebrate the recovery journeys of all who attended. If you or someone you know is in need of resources or information, check out our local Regional Behavioral Health Action Organization, The Hub, by clicking the button below.
The Hub CT Suicide Prevention Resources