Dallas County Health and Human Services

Cold and flu season typically happen during the fall and winter. Though it comes around every year, there's still a lot of confusion about viruses, vaccines and how to avoid getting sick. Experts and providers offer advice heading into the holiday season.

This year’s respiratory virus season comes with some unique challenges. Experts and providers say they’re worried about how misinformation and confusion about new federal COVID-19 vaccine recommendations will affect vaccination rates, which could lead to more infections and severe health outcomes.

A shuttered Richardson preschool reimagined as a catch-all resource center has become reality in the historic Esperanza neighborhood.

Dallas County has received more federal support to address racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes. Dallas County Health and Human Services will have more than $300,000 in additional funding for its Healthy Start program.

Dallas County health director Dr. Philip Huang told county commissioners new federal limits on who's eligible for the updated COVID-19 vaccine could affect how the county distributes its shipment.

Group fundraising could help fill local budget gaps created by federal health defunding.

Inconsistent financial help could potentially burden Dallas County taxpayers with an estimated nearly $383 million per year for HIV prevention and treatment costs.

Nimbus, the new COVID-19 variant, has caused an uptick in cases, while federal funding cuts have forced Dallas County to lay off staff and hold fewer vaccination clinics.

Dallas County Health and Human Services said the case involves a woman in her 20s who is fully vaccinated.

Public health departments relied on COVID funding to expand testing, lab and vaccination capabilities. Local health leaders say the federal government's clawback of $11.4 billion will undermine that growth.

The measles case reported in Rockwall County is unrelated to the outbreak in West Texas, officials said, but they're monitoring and preparing in case the disease spreads in North Texas.

Physicians and nonprofit leaders say Texas is no stranger to misinformation that politicians like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. perpetuate. But they worry about the impact Trump's cabinet picks will have on public health.