This week, an FDA advisory panel unanimously recommended that the Fall 2024 COVID vaccine be updated to target the JN.1 variant or one of its descendants. This matches the strains that are anticipated to be circulating in our community. In Marin County, JN.1 was the dominant strain from December 2023 to April 2024. The KP.2 variant, which gained local dominance in May, is closely related to JN.1. Pending CDC recommendations, vaccine production is on track for availability in August.
Last week, another human case of H5N1 bird flu was reported in a U.S. farm worker, bringing the 2024 total to four cases, all with mild infection, and all tied to direct contact with infected animals. Infected cattle were detected in two additional states, bringing the total to 11 states. No H5N1 infected cattle or humans have been reported in California. CDPH is offering a 30-day supply of PPE for dairy, slaughterhouse, and poultry farm workers. Marin Public Health and the Marin Agricultural Commissioner are working together to make sure that Marin farms have the tools they need to keep farmworkers safe. Visit Marin County Public Health’s H5N1 (Bird Flu) webpage for more resources. Risk to the public remains low.
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