The rate of COVID infection has continued to increase in our region as well as among our patients and UTMB workforce. Although rates of severe infection and hospitalization due to COVID remain stable and low, caution is advised to keep our employees and patients safe from COVID infection during this current wave. The following COVID precautions are effective immediately. If the rates of COVID admissions and infections among our workforce increase further, additional precautions may be implemented.

On May 17, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the use of a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for children 5 through 11 years of age at least five months after completing a primary series with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (See the FDA announcement.) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the booster for this age group on May 19, 2022. CDC now recommends that children ages 5 through 11 years should receive a booster shot 5 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series. (See the CDC announcement.)

A single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has been approved for children 5 through 11 years of age, at least five months after completing a primary series with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

There has been a modest increase in the COVID-19 positivity rate in our community, which has ranged from 6% to 11% in the past week. While the COVID-19 hospitalization rate has increased only slightly, it may increase further over the next two to three weeks. Currently, UTMB is not planning any immediate changes to our COVID-19 precautions. However, if COVID-19 positivity and hospitalization rates increase, changes in precautions may be necessary.

A reminder on the current masking policy (as of April 22, 2022) and some frequently asked questions and answers from the COVID-19 Clinical Task Force.

As a result of the continued low rates of COVID-19 infection in our community and among UTMB faculty, staff and students—as well as very low hospitalization rates—the following modifications to the masking policy will be implemented effective immediately, April 22, 2022. (Please note that we will continue to monitor infection and hospitalization rates in our region; therefore, these policies are subject to change on short notice, based on the most current data).

El segundo refuerzo de la vacuna ya está disponible para personas mayores de 50 años y personas inmonucomprometidas mayores de 12 años

See the March 31 COVID Vaccine Task Force message regarding the newest groups eligible for a second booster with an mRNA vaccine, including those age 50 and older and certain immunocompromised individuals.

See the March 31 COVID Vaccine Task Force message regarding the newest groups eligible for a second booster with an mRNA vaccine, including those age 50 and older and certain immunocompromised individuals.

As a result of the continued low and stable rates of COVID infection in our community (2-3% for the past month), UTMB's COVID-19 Clinical Task Force has announced changes in COVID masking and testing precautions. The changes will be implemented beginning April 1, 2022.

COVID-19 Testing, Symptoms, and Other Important Updates