October 22, 2019 - Texas was recognized for its successful effort to increase immunizations among emergency responders. The Texas Department of State Health Services received a 2019 Vision Award from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials at its annual meeting in Bethesda, Md. The program was judged on its innovation, effectiveness and replicability.
October 1, 2019 - The Texas Department of State Health Services recommends that everyone 6 months old and older get vaccinated now to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications.
“It takes about two weeks for immunity to develop after getting the flu vaccine. So, we are asking all Texans 6 months of age and older to get their flu vaccines before the end of October,” said Dr. Jennifer Shuford, DSHS Infectious Disease Medical Officer.
September 5, 2019 - Health officials, state leaders and patient advocates gathered at the state public health laboratory in Austin today to celebrate the addition of a new test to the health screening done for every baby born in Texas. In August, the Texas Department of State Health Services began testing all newborns for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy making Texas the 16th state to add X-ALD to its screening panel.
August 19, 2019 - The Texas Department of State Health Services is investigating suspected Texas cases of severe lung disease in adolescents who used e-cigarettes. DSHS was first notified of possible cases last week following similar reports in youth and young adults in several other states.