On September 17, 2021, NH DHHS issued a health alert on SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody therapy updates.

Key Points and Recommendations:

• Management of patients with COVID-19 vary by setting and severity of illness; providers should familiarize themselves with COVID-19 treatment guidelines from both the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) 
  • Note the NIH has updated their guidance on use of bamlanivimab plus etesevimab but this not yet been incorporated into their guidance summary 
  • Review the recent CDC HAN advising against the use of ivermectin, which has not been shown to be effective at treating or preventing COVID-19 

On August 31, 2021, NH DHHS issued a health alert update on the recall of LeadCare blood lead tests.

Key Points and Recommendations:

• Magellan Diagnostics, Inc. has expanded their product recall involving the LeadCare ® blood test kits. This expanded COOR-LO recall includes LeadCare® II Blood Test Kits lots: 2012M (Sublots -08, -09, -10, -11, -12, -13, and -14); 2018M; 2102M; 2109M, 2110M; 2111M; 2112M; 2113M; 2114M; and 2115M and is outlined below. These lots are in addition to previously recalled lots.

On August 13, 2021, NH DHHS issued a health alert on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine 3rd dose recommendations.

Key Points and Recommendations:

• On August 12th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized use of a 3rd dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for certain immunocompromised persons. The Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) amendment does NOT apply to the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, or to individuals who received the Janssen vaccine as a primary series. 

On July 2, 2021, NH DHHS issued a health alert regarding NH's lowering of the pediatric blood lead action level to 5 mcg/dL

Key Points and Recommendations:

• Effective July 1, 2021, NH RSA 130-A, Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention and Control, lowers the NH public health action level for children with elevated blood lead levels (BLL) to 5 mcg/dL; NH’s action level is now consistent with CDC’s blood lead reference level. 

On June 28, 2021, NH DHHS issued a health alert regarding mosquito-borne diseases in NH in 2021.

Key Points and Recommendations:

1. The first ever detection of Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) in a mosquito has been detected from a batch of Aedes excrucians collected on 6/8/2021 in Bow, NH. During the 2020 season, one human case of JCV was identified in Bow. 

The Tuesday June 22 NH COVID-19 Vaccine Alliance meeting focused on the development in the Granite State of mobile vans for immunization, primary care and public health education. You can view a YouTube recording of the June 22nd Alliance meeting which featured the Harvard Pilgrim/Northern NH hospitals and the state's mobile van projects, as well as an overview on Manchester's WOW (Wellness on Wheels) four-event summer series. 

April 21, 2021

The Tuesday, April 20th meeting summary of the NH COVID-19 Vaccine Alliance:

• Recap of the key takeaways from the week of April 13;
• Discussion with NH Division of Public Health staff Beth Daly, Alok Patra and TW Hull on the new NH Immunization Information System (NH-IIS) that relaunched on April 15, including release of the HL7 messaging code this week and anticipated changes to the reporting requirements.
• Statement release of and sign-on opportunity for “Objective Goals in NH for Continued COVID-19 Mask Wearing”.

Video (YouTube) of 4-20-21 NH COVID-19 Vaccine Alliance Meeting

Slide Deck of 4-20-21 NH COVID-19 Vaccine Alliance Meeting (PDF)

April 20, 2021

The New Hampshire medical community urges individuals, communities, schools and businesses to continue to follow Centers for Disease Control and NH Division of Public Health Services guidelines that highlight the efficacy of wearing masks in slowing the community transmission of COVID-19 in New Hampshire, in conjunction with other prevention measures, until:

1)  COVID-19 vaccination levels reach a community-wide immunity of at least 70%; and

2)  Community spread of COVID-19 continues at a "minimal" community transmission level as displayed by county on the NH COVID-19 data dashboards – less than 50 new infections per 100,000 population over prior 14 days, along with 7-Day PCR test positivity levels below 5%. NH DPHS Level of Community COVID-19 Transmission Definition