On October 20, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took action to expand the use of a booster dose for COVID-19 vaccines in eligible populations. The agency is amending the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for COVID-19 vaccines to allow for the use of a single booster dose as follows:

Read more here.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is taking several new actions as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to increase access to COVID-19 testing. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is investing $70 million from the American Rescue Plan to help bring more high-quality, at-home tests onto the market in the U.S. in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). NIH’s new Independent Test Assessment Program (ITAP) will establish an accelerated pathway to support FDA evaluation of tests with potential for large-scale manufacturing. The program is an extension of the NIH Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative. This new program will help distinguish manufacturers of high-quality tests and encourage them to bring those tests to the U.S. market, increasing overall supply and potentially lowering costs for people including American Indian/Alaska Native.

The FDA also authorizes additional over-the-counter rapid antigen COVID-19 test. This agency has granted an emergency use authorization for over-the-counter single-use testing for symptomatic adults and over-the-counter serial testing for all adults. Read more. 

The White House announced that vaccines will be required for international travelers coming into the United States (U.S.), with an effective date of November 8, 2021. For purposes of entry into the U.S., vaccines accepted will include the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved or authorized and the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Listing vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided the comprehensive information for all travelers including U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents, and Immigrants, here.

Deadline: 11:59 Pacific Time, Tomorrow! Friday, October 29, 2021.

NIHB is seeking input from Tribal partners and subject matter experts to improve the second Public Health in Indian Country Capacity Scan (PHICCS II ), slated for early 2022. The purpose of PHICCS is to periodically assess the capacity of Tribal health and Tribal public health organizations for delivering public health services. The COVID-19 pandemic has focused national attention on U.S. public health capacity and infrastructure. Your guidance is essential to ensure PHICCS II captures current Tribally-driven infrastructure needs and priorities.

Learn more about PHICCS, including the PHICCS 2019 Report, Frequently Asked Questions and the PHICCS II timeline here.

Contact Nina Martin, nmartin@nihb.org, or 202-548-7299 for more information.

NIHB is requesting applications for a new opportunity for supporting maternal American Indian and Alaska Native maternal health through Tribal-led MMRCs. NIHB anticipates funding for up to 12 proposals from Tribes, Tribal consortia, and Tribal organizations for up to $7,500 each. Through this opportunity, grantees will participate in a self-assessment over an 8-month period to explore key components of Tribal-led MMRCs and assess their readiness to establish and sustain a Tribal-led MMRC. Tribal-led MMRCs that respect American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) culture may result in identification of meaningful and effective maternal mortality prevention strategies for AI/AN communities. The intended outcomes for the Tribal-led MMRC Self-Assessment project include: Understanding the unique needs of Tribes for maintaining a successful MMRC, increasing knowledge capacity in AI/AN maternal mortality prevention efforts, and increasing partnerships among Tribes and Tribal organizations. To download the application packet and read more about the project, click here. 

You can read more, including the NOFO and access webinar recordings and slides here.

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is seeking qualified candidates for the following open positions in the Public Health Policy and Programs Department based in Washington, DC.

Job descriptions are available here.

Indian Country ECHO Launching New Website on November 1^st

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, and to celebrate being awarded a prestigious 2021 Outstanding Service Award by the National Indian Health Board, Indian County ECHO is launching a vibrant new website.

To learn more about Indian Country ECHO and to join the movement to bring quality healthcare to Indian Country, visit IndianCountryECHO.org or email echo@npaihb.org. 

The flu is one of the most widely known respiratory infections that people fight worldwide, especially once the weather starts getting colder. Last year, rates of flu infections decreased worldwide because precautions taken against COVID-19, such as wearing a mask and physical distancing, were also effective against the flu. However, this year could be different as people return to their usual activities and precautions are relaxed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) seasonal flu vaccination campaign materials are available to assist partners in communicating about the importance of vaccination. The digital toolkit includes details on events/activities, sample social media and newsletter content, graphics, web assets, and media prep material. The material is downloadable, shareable, and some of the material is customizable. Find the toolkit and learn more here.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that some hand sanitizers have been recalled. The FDA recommends stopping using more than 250 hand sanitizers right away. Use this step-by-step search guide to find out if the hand sanitizer you are using is on the list.

Dual Epidemics of COVID-19 and Overdose Highlight Impact of Structural Racism                                                                             

There are many reasons for these disparities, nearly all of which can be traced to the impacts of systemic racism. COVID-19 has exacerbated existing racial and ethnic disparities. Addressing the structural racism that drive inequality in access to economic opportunity, educational attainment, and other factors that ultimately drive health disparities must be a key public health priority – both during the dual COVID and overdose epidemics and beyond. Read more.

Indian Country ECHO: CHAP Learning Collaborative

The Community Health Aid Program (CHAP) ECHO Learning Collaborative is designed to bridge the gap between traditional practices and modern standards of care through bringing together several types of practitioners, including Dental Health Aide Therapists (DHATs), Behavioral Health Aides and Practitioners (BHA/Ps), and Community Health Aides and Practitioners (CHA/Ps). Sessions are open to all, but advanced registration is recommended. Sign up and view past sessions here!

National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is offering technical assistance to support Tribal injury surveillance and prevention efforts. Topics include but are not limited to analyzing state policies that may impact data sharing or establishing data sharing partnership agreements.

For questions and more information, contact Nina Martin (nmartin@nihb.org, 202-548-7299).

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) COVID-19 Community Corps Team has developed the NEW Boosters resource page that includes guides, infographics, and social media posts to share them online them for your communities. Read more.

The National Indian Health Board is committed to serving Tribal Nations in response to the coronavirus outbreak. We welcome your requests and feedback. Contact Courtney Wheeler at cwheeler@nihb.org or 202-507-4081.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a great tool to help you make decisions on when to seek testing and medical care. Tribal members who are 13 and older, and parents and caregivers of children ages 2 to 12 can use the tool to help decide when to seek testing or medical care if they suspect they or someone they know has contracted COVID-19 or has come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Tribal members can use the on-line tool to find recommended actions and resources based on their response to questions in the Self-checker tool. 

Today! Thursday, October 28, 2021, 1:00-4:00 PM ET

The final COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force meeting will be live streamed. Chair, Dr. Marcelle Nunez-Smith will present the COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force final report. The report holds the specific recommendations the Task Force has generated throughout many months. To join the meeting, click here.

If Tribal citizens wish to provide a public comment during the meeting, please send an email with your name and affiliation to COVID19HETF@hhs.gov

To learn more about the Task Force, click here.

Today! Thursday, October 28, 2021, 1:00-2:00 PM ET

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is hosting a webinar on Covid-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know to engage women’s health care clinicians to increase vaccine confidence and demand in their communities. During this webinar, participants will hear presentations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ACOG, and the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM). The purpose of this webinar is to increase the understanding of current CDC and ACOG findings and recommendations regarding the use of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy, increase clinicians' understanding of the role they can play in increasing vaccine confidence and demand, and familiarize clinicians with the process of becoming a COVID-19 vaccine provider.

For questions, please contact immunization@acog.org.

If you have questions for the presenters, you can let them know beforehand by emailing ltssinfo@kauffmaninc.com

To register for the webinar, click here. 

Webinar- The State of the Science on the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Importance of Community Health Workers in the Promotion of Vaccines, Community Health and Resiliency                                              

Wednesday, November 3, 2021, 4:00 - 5:00 PM ET

The John Hopkins Center for American Indian Health is hosting a webinar on the State of the Science on the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Importance of Community Health Workers in the Promotion of Vaccines, Community Health and Resiliency. Presenters are Dr. Nina Mayer Ritchie from Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health; Michelle Archuleta from the National Community Health Representative Consultant and Community Health Team Lead, Indian Health Service; and Tara Stowbunenko, Family Spirit Program and Cheryl Ground, CHR Program and Family Spirit Program Supervisor, Blackfeet Community. Register here.

The University of North Dakota’s doctoral degree in Indigenous Health is the first of its kind in the United States or Canada. This program provides a deeper understanding of the unique health issues facing Indigenous populations. With an evidence-based approach to public health, this program prepares students to join the elite group of forward-thinking, culturally aware experts. UND is setting new standards in the fight against Indigenous disease disparities worldwide. Program leaders are hosting a Q&A webinar about the program on Thursday, November 4^th at 2pm EST. Register here.

Date changed, now November 5, 2021, at 2:00-3:00pm ET

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB), is hosting the first event in the COVID-19 Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series. American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) across the country are getting a COVID vaccine for various reasons -- going back to school, playing sports, and protecting their family and communities. Native youth and parents, young people, and Tribal community members are invited to join the AMA to ask any questions they might have about COVID-19 vaccines or booster shots to an expert from the CDC.

This AMA is focused on knowledge sharing and helping Tribal communities dispel any myths about COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots. Submit questions ahead of time with this form so presenter(s) have time to review them. Please come prepared to ask questions or share your own insights and experiences.

This AMA will be free and streamed live on Zoom and Facebook. Register here.

For questions, please contact Darby Galligher at dgalligher@nihb.org

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy is partnering with We are Warriors Emergency Operations Center and Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board to host a virtual Recovery & Healing Conference on Nov. 10, 2021, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MT. The conference will help Tribal leaders, nonprofit organizations, emergency managers, community leaders, disaster responders and funders understand:

Friday, November 19, 2021, from 11:00am-6:00pm ET

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is excited to announce the 2021 Don't Miss Your Shot: COVID-19 Youth Summit. The Youth Summit will be virtually held on Friday, November 19, 2021.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) announced that the Clinical Investigator Training Course (CITC) that were conducted in person for more than ten years, and unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic was postponed in 2020; this year also, it will be an abbreviated, virtual update rather than a full course. The agency is hopeful that the full course will resume in 2022.

Register for this training webinar.