children – watercress words by Dr Aletha

This information is current as of the publication date; it is general medical information that helps doctors and patients make decisions about what is right for them. Medical recommendations and practice change as we learn new things. Discuss with your physician or appropriate healthcare provider.

The recent emergence of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19. Early data from South Africa suggest increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant and the potential for immune evasion.

updated November 29,2021

Everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot

You may choose which COVID-19 vaccine you receive as a booster shot. Some people may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.

Studies show after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, protection against the virus and the ability to prevent infection with variants may decrease over time.

update-November 2, 2021

Today, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine.

CDC now expands vaccine recommendations to about 28 million children in the United States in this age group and allows providers to begin vaccinating them as soon as possible.

“Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation’s fight against the virus that causes COVID-19. We know millions of parents are eager to get their children vaccinated and with this decision, we now have recommended that about 28 million children receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
As a mom, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their pediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated.”
Dr. Rochelle Walensky , CDC Director

GIRL STATUE, BUSHES, RED FLOWER — **photos by Dr Aletha at Integris Hospital, Oklahoma City, OK**

SMILING GIRL STATUE — **photos by Dr Aletha at Integris Hospital, Oklahoma City, OK**

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

Updated Oct. 27, 2021 by the CDC

As you’ve learned by now, nothing is ever final when it come to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, although we hope and pray someday it will. For now there is another new recommendation for receiving a “booster dose” of the COVID vaccines; now boosters are approved for all medically eligible recipients who received any one of the 3 approved vaccines.

IF YOU RECEIVED
Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna

You are eligible for a booster if you are:

65 years or older
Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

When to get a booster:
At least 6 months after your second shot

Which booster should you get?
Any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States

IF YOU RECEIVED
Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen

You are eligible for a booster if you are:
18 years or older

When to get a booster:
At least 2 months after your shot

Which booster should you get?
Any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States

You may choose which COVID-19 vaccine you receive as a booster shot.

Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.

mRNA vaccines vs traditional vaccines work differently — RNA Vaccines vs Traditional Vaccines

Previous COVID-19 updates

Breaking news – Vaccination in pregnancy

August 11, 2021

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.
Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been growing. These data suggest that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.
There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men.

Breaking news-COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People

August 13, 2021

CDC now recommends that people whose immune systems are compromised moderately to severely should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial 2 doses. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic. Read CDC’s statement.

Pages: 123

The Christmas Gift Fund

The Christmas Gift Fund allows the OneChild Hope Center staff to purchase a gift for each child in the program. For many of these children living in the depths of poverty, it may be the only present they receive this Christmas. So that every child receives a gift, all donations are combined and distributed equally to children registered in our program.

$35 will help provide a gift for 1 child.
$70 will help provide a gift for 2 children.
$105 will help provide a gift for 3 children.

You can bless a child this Christmas at this link.

How Jesus blessed children

But Jesus said,

“Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”

And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.

Volunteer trips outside the U.S.A gives me the chance to treat needy people without charge

making friends with children during his trip back

Kids always love bubbles

A student nurse distributing new shoes to children

a group of children and adults watching people on a stage outdoors

young team members sing and act for kids.

How I bless children

My husband and I have had the privilege of blessing children here in the United States and on travels to other countries. In the collage above I’ve shared photos of us in VietNam, Mexico, and El Salvador serving on volunteer medical teams.

But we also bless children without even leaving our house. Through monthly financial support we have helped children in India, Mexico, Honduras, and now Ethiopia go to school, get medical care, and receive regular meals through an international organization named ONECHILD.

Like many similar organizations, OneChild, has seen a decrease in donations this year due to the financial hardship that the pandemic caused. But the children’s needs have not decreased and neither has the organization’s commitment to taking care of them.

“We advocate for children in poverty and they are paying (and will pay) a huge price for the economic and social policy decisions being made in the US. It’s our job to speak up on their behalf.”
Scott C. Todd, PhD, President of OneChild

How you can bless OneChild

For a monthly commitment of $39 U.S. you can help a needy child. If you’ve been wondering what you can do to help in this crisis, you can start making a lasting difference in the life of a child and family. If at any time you need to stop, OneChild will understand and still appreciate the investment you made to support their work.

OneChild doesn’t stop with receiving your donation. You receive a photo of your sponsored child and regular updates written by the child; you may get drawings, and pictures of their family and activities. The featured image at the top of this post is one side of a postcard sent in response to a letter I sent my child.

If you already sponsor a child elsewhere, or support other charitable causes, please continue. But if you aren’t, or are able to take on something else, I recommend OneChild without reservation. Check out their website and see if OneChild can be a blessing to you.

HOPE CENTER TOUR

sharing the HEART of faith, hope, and love

1 Corinthians 13:13, photo from the Lightstock.com collection (affiliate link)

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