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Dallas County health officials report vaccine availability, first West Nile death this season and low flu activity
Summary
Public health staff told commissioners COVID vaccines are available from private stock, wastewater surveillance shows recent declines, the county reported its first West Nile virus death of the season, and measles cases nationally remain high, officials said.
Dallas County public‑health officials updated the Commissioners Court on Oct. 7, reporting that COVID vaccine doses from private stock are being offered to the public, wastewater surveillance shows recent declines in COVID activity, and the county recorded its first West Nile virus death this season.
Why it matters: Vaccine access information, vector‑borne disease trends and respiratory virus activity shape near‑term county public‑health planning, clinics and outreach to vulnerable populations.
Public‑health director Dr. Wong briefed the court on several topics. On COVID vaccines, Wong said, “we do have COVID vaccine available. We have the private stock is what we're making available. So we're making it available for anyone who wants it. We'll try to bill insurance. In the meantime, if they don't have insurance, we'll use our charity care.” Wong added the department is prioritizing outreach events and senior‑center vaccination in the near term.
On West Nile virus, Wong told the court, “yesterday, we did report the first West Nile virus death this season, this season, in a person in their seventies with some underlying medical conditions.” He said overall this season has been relatively slow compared with some prior years but urged continued mosquito‑bite precautions and use of the “4 D's” (dress, DEET, dusk/dawn avoidance, drain standing water).
Wong also summarized national respiratory‑virus trends and wastewater surveillance for flu and RSV, reporting low levels so far in the season. He highlighted measles numbers nationally, telling the court the United States has reported the highest measles counts “in 30 years” and that 92 percent of recent cases were unvaccinated or unknown vaccination status.
Ending: County officials said they will continue community vaccination clinics, prioritize seniors and monitor wastewater and vector surveillance; they urged residents to seek recommended vaccines and personal protective measures.
