SNOW HILL, N.C. (WNCT) The Greene County Department of Public Health is offering evening appointments for individuals 18 years of age and older wanting to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
The clinic will be on Thursday, October 7, and Tuesday, October 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Greene County Department of Public Health, 227 Kingold Boulevard in Snow Hill.
Individuals must call the health department at 252-747-8181 to schedule an appointment. If you need a free ride to the appointment you can call Greene County Transportation at 252-747-8474 to schedule a ride.
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Greene County Department of Public Health to host COVID-19 Vaccine Night Clinic - WNCT
ARLINGTON, Va., CHICAGO and DALLAS, Sept. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --With more people gathering this fall and reports of overburdened hospitals from COVID-19's delta variant, the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association are urging individuals over six months old to get their annual flu shot and for anyone who is eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccines can be given in the same visit.
COVID-19 precautions kept the last flu (influenza) season mild, but leading health experts warn that the 2021-2022 flu season may begin early and could be severe.While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, preventing influenzawhich, with pneumonia, is regularly in the top 10 causes of death in the U.S.is even more important to protect the health of people who are particularly vulnerable and to reduce the burden on U.S. hospitals, they say.
Flu and COVID-19 are both serious respiratory illnesses, and people living with chronic lung disease, cancer, heart disease and diabetes are at a higher risk for severe complications. Both the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people with chronic health conditions and are proven to provide the best protection against life-threatening complications from the two different viruses. As of Sept. 24, the CDC recommends COVID-19 booster shots for people in certain populationswho received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
"We encourage everyone over six months old to get a flu shot and everyone over 12 years old get a COVID-19 vaccine. This is especially important for health care workers and people who are at a higher risk for severe complications from the flu and COVID-19, like people over 65 and those living with chronic health conditions," said Albert Rizzo, M.D., chief medical officer of the Lung Association. "Flu vaccinations have been in use for more than 50 years, with hundreds of millions of Americans safely receiving them, and more than 390 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccineshave been safely administered."
"The best way to protect yourself and those close to you from a bad case of the flu and a severe bout of COVID-19 is to get vaccinated against each of them," said Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., American Heart Association's chief medical officer for prevention. "We know these vaccines work. We know these vaccines are safe. And we know you're much more likely to regret it if you don't get them than if you do. Please don't leave your health or your family's health up to chance when there are safe vaccines widely available in the U.S."
"People with diabetes have been particularly hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemicwith as many as 40% of all COVID-19 deaths occurring in people with diabetes," said Robert Gabbay, M.D., chief scientific and medical officer for the American Diabetes Association. "The flu is also significantly worse for people with diabetes and therefore, we strongly recommend getting both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines to protect your health if you are eligible. We need to all work together to keep our loved ones healthy."
TheAmerican Lung Association, theAmerican Diabetes Associationand theAmerican Heart Associationoffer educational resources about the burden of flu and increased need for vaccination among people with chronic health conditions.
Free, downloadable information on flu, COVID-19 and chronic health conditions is also available through theNational Foundation for Infectious Diseasesand theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.
About the American Diabetes Association
Every day more than 4,000 people are newly diagnosed with diabetes in America. More than 122 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes and are striving to manage their lives while living with the disease. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation's leading voluntary health organization fighting to bend the curve on the diabetes epidemic and help people living with diabetes thrive. For 81 years the ADA has been driving discovery and research to treat, manage and prevent diabetes, while working relentlessly for a cure. We help people with diabetes thrive by fighting for their rights and developing programs, advocacy and education designed to improve their quality of life. Diabetes has brought us together. What we do next will make us Connected for Life. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Join the fight with us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public's health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us onheart.org,Facebook,Twitteror by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Gold-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit:Lung.org.
Sources:
Contact: Daisy Diaz, 703-253-4807
[emailprotected]
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SOURCE American Diabetes Association; American Heart Association; American Lung Association
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A healthcare worker prepares a dose of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at a drive-in vaccination center in San Salvador, El Salvador, July 13, 2021. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas
SAN SALVADOR, Sept 24 (Reuters) - El Salvador will begin administering a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine to various groups including the elderly, healthworkers and people with underlying health conditions, President Nayib Bukele said on Friday.
The Central American nation of roughly 6.4 million people has obtained some 12 million vaccines since February.
Third shots would be given to people including those aged over 60, frontline health staff, teachers, the armed forces, police and firefighters, as well as Salvadorans with pre-existing health problems, Bukele said on Twitter.
"Considering the success of the third dose in Israel, we have decided to start with a third dose in El Salvador," the president said, noting the government would enable people to start making appointments for the jabs from Sunday.
El Salvador joins a growing group of Latin American nations that are giving booster shots to certain groups of at-risk people, including Panama, Ecuador and Chile. read more
Reporting by Gerardo Arbaiza; Editing by Sam Holmes
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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El Salvador to begin giving third dose of COVID-19 vaccine - Reuters
The Food and Drug Administration has granted full approval for the Pfizer vaccine for individuals ages 16 and older. Emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine also remains in effect for individuals ages 12-15.
All Marylanders 12 and older are eligible for vaccination. Vaccinations are available through hospitals, local health departments and pharmacies.
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COVID-19 Vaccine - covidLINK | Maryland Department of Health
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19.
Sample Message:Getting the vaccine is the BEST way to protect yourself from COVID-19. Let's #VaccinateNY.ny.gov/vaccine
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The Independent Allocation Vaccine Group (IAVG) was established by the WHO in January 2021 and is composed of 12 members who serve in their personal, independent capacities to review and assess Vaccine Allocation Decision (VAD) proposals generated by the COVAX Facility Joint Allocation Taskforce (JAT) on the volumes of vaccines that should be allocated to each participant under COVAX within a given time frame[1].
The IAVG continues to be very concerned about the evolution of the pandemic, and its health, social and economic impacts, and offers its full support to COVAX Partners to ensure that critical messages are channelled to the relevant fora to raise the awareness of governments, manufacturers and stakeholders of challenges in access to COVID-19 vaccines.
The IAVG is concerned about the 25% reduction in supply forecast for the fourth quarter of 2021. It is also concerned about the prioritization of bilateral deals over international collaboration and solidarity, export restrictions and decisions by some countries to administer booster doses to their adult populations.
During its last meeting on 17 September, the IAVG revisited issues previously raised pertaining to vaccine supply, vaccine allocation, and vaccine administration and offers the following perspectives:
The IAVG continues to be concerned by the low supply of vaccines to COVAX, and reiterates the need for manufacturers, vaccine producing and high-coverage countries to prioritize vaccine equity and transparency, the sharing of information about manufacturing capacity and supply schedules to COVAX, as well as vaccine access plans. While recognizing the need for additional doses to protect certain vulnerable, immune-compromised populations, the IAVG suggests countries collect and review more evidence before implementing policies regarding the administration of booster doses to their populations.
The recent exceptional allocation round at which the recommendation was made that the October COVAX supply be fully dedicated to those countries with a low population coverage, after accounting for all sources of vaccines, is a step forward in achieving equitable access. The IAVG supports the decision of prioritizing COVAX supply for those countries most likely relying solely on COVAX for access to COVID-19 vaccines and supports the continuation of this approach in future rounds.
The IAVG notes that so far only three manufacturers have waived indemnification and liability for use in humanitarian settings, and none have been waived for use at country level. This has consequences for vaccines allocated to the humanitarian buffer, as well as potentially setting precedents for future use.
The IAVG has considered the information and data on absorptive capacity in countries with low total population coverage and brings the following issues to the attention of the COVAX Partners for further consideration:
COVAX remains the main global access mechanism able to serve all countries and ensure equitable access. The IAVG stands strongly behind this initiative.
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[1] The IAVG (https://www.who.int/groups/iavg) acknowledges that the role of the WHO within COVAX is to provide guidance on vaccine policy, regulation, safety, research and development, vaccine allocation, and country readiness and delivery, in partnership with UNICEF. As of today, the IAVG has validated allocation through COVAX for a total of 362.8 million doses of vaccines.
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What Needs to Change to Enhance Covid-19 Vaccine Access - World Health Organization
Many people who stood in line to get a shot Saturday claimed they weren't aware of the financial incentive program
ST. LOUIS Show me the money!
That could have been the theme starting Saturday in St. Louis city and county clinics where gift cards now serve as an incentive to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Outside the 12th and Park Recreation Center, there was a line out the door to the COVID-19 vaccination clinic. It was not yet 10 a.m.
When Heather Sand was asked why she waited this long to get vaccinated, she responded, Its a good question. I wasnt sure about it, I guess.
While waiting in line, Mike Peifer was asked if he was getting vaccinated today because of the gift cards.
Are they giving out gift cards? said Peifer. Thats great.
People who turn out vaccination clinics in the city will now walk out with a $100 gift card.
Orlando Smith said, My mom stayed on me to get it. So, I thought I would come today to get it.
To be honest, yes, said Smith, I was going to get the shot next week, but this is an added plus.
A man who identified himself as Steve Johnson was inside, going through the registration process with a nurse, then he got the shot.
Not too bad at all, he said, leaning back in his chair and rolling down his sleeve. Cant even tell.
Forty-five minutes later, as he was leaving the building, Steve held up his gift card and showed why some people waited until today.
Oh yeah, said Steve. Couple hours, tops.
Im already vaccinated, said Liz Lesaulnier. Im a teacher. Lesaulnier was there because it was her oldest sons twelfth birthday. And he got vaccinated. I just wanted to be protected from COVID, said Andrew Lesaulnier. I had it once, and it wasnt fun.
At vaccination clinics in St. Louis County, the gift cards are not given out on location. Instead, they are mailed to the persons home, later. At the Rock Road location of the St. Louis County Library, a sign inside explained the county incentive program offers $150 worth of gift cards.
Twelve-year-old Karth Chirunomula needed no such incentive.
If I get the vaccine, said Chirunomula, I will have a lower chance of getting COVID-19, which will prevent me from spreading it to my neighbors.
A nurse at the county clinic gave people a good piece of advice take a picture of the front and back of your vaccine card, so you have a record in case you lose it.
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St. Louis city and county COVID-19 vaccination clinics now offer gift cards as incentives - KSDK.com
OLYMPIA (Wash.) Questions surrounding religious exemptions are pressing for those who dont want to be vaccinated.
But many large organized religions are not opposed to vaccines.
This collision of vaccine mandates, religion and personal choice could leave the issue up to individual employers whether it be government agencies, hospitals or private businesses to determine if a workers belief qualifies them to skip a COVID-19 shot.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslees proclamation declared that those who have a medical accommodation or a sincerely held religious belief can opt out of the vaccine. Thousands of state workers hope to make use of that escape clause.
More than 6% of state workers have filed for religious exemptions, according to initial data released Tuesday. Another 1.5% have requested a medical exemption.
According to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism have no prohibition on vaccines. Some Christian denominations have an objection to vaccines, one of the most well-known being Christian Scientists.
But many religious leaders have actually encouraged their members to get the COVID-19 shot.
Pope Francis has urged Catholics to receive the vaccine. Leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement last month urging its members to get the vaccine.
Christian Scientists often opt out of vaccines, as many believe prayer can cure disease. Lance Matteson, a spokesperson for the Christian Science Committee on Publication for Washington, wrote in an email that choosing not to get vaccinated is a conscientious choice to seek help through spiritual means.
While the church urges members to make their own choices regarding vaccination, a statement from its board of directors also said it recognizes the importance of cooperating with measures considered necessary by public health officials.
And most of all, we hope that our collective care and effort can promote public health and healing to all affected by disease and contagion around the world, the statement reads.
Matteson said he knows some church members who have chosen to get vaccinated and some who have not. The church does not want any members to feel pressure either way, he said.
Matteson said the church has always appreciated the availability of religious accommodations from vaccine requirements.
But that privilege was never intended to pit the conscientious practice of Christian Scientists as a religious minority against the well-being of society at large, he wrote.
Getting those who are religious and hesitant of the vaccine may take the work of religious leaders and groups, a survey done by the Public Religion Research Institute and the Interfaith Youth Core showed.
The survey found Jewish Americans are the most likely to be accepting of the vaccine, with 85% of respondents at the time saying they accept the vaccines. Hispanic and white Catholics, other non-Christians, other Christians, religiously affiliated and white mainline Protestants all had more than 70% of respondents approve of the vaccine. White evangelical Protestants are the least likely to accept the vaccine with 24% saying they would not get vaccinated.
The survey, which reported results in both March and June, found that faith-based approaches to vaccine hesitancy, such as encouragement from religious leaders or religious groups giving out information, had a significant influence on increasing vaccine acceptance.
Where religious freedom fits into exemptions, mandates
As more mandates come out, so do the questions of legality, specifically on violating religious freedom.
If any cases are brought to state or federal court, determining the legality of mandates and exemption responses will be based on numerous factors, said Shaakirrah Sanders, a University of Idaho law professor.
Religious freedom comes from two places in the First Amendment: the establishment clause, which says the government cannot establish a religion or programs that exclude religions, and the exercise clause, which says the government cant do anything to prevent free exercise of religion.
Exemptions to certain laws because of religion have been established both by statute and by case law from the U.S. Supreme Court.
But you dont get an exemption in every case, Sanders said.
On vaccine mandates, the government may argue theyre not forcing anyone to change their religious beliefs, only forcing them to change their behavior, Sanders said.
For any lawsuits that come out of these mandates, the court will likely take into account what alternatives to vaccine the mandate offers, such as testing, an individuals consistency on vaccines; whether their specific job can be accommodated in any way and the state of emergency brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
If a state or federal mandate offers a testing option instead of receiving the vaccine, for example, a court may decide that it does not violate a persons religious freedom because there are options, Sanders said.
The vaccine mandates in Washington state do not offer a testing option instead of vaccination. That could be a factor that turns a particular case, Sanders said.
The court may then have to look for which industries are subject to the mandate and if there are other options for a worker to stay employed, such as working from home.
Its hard to know definitively how a court will rule, she said.
Then, it may come down to the individuals own beliefs.
Under current law, individuals looking to get religious exemptions dont need to be a part of organized religion, Sanders said, and they dont have to believe in all tenets of that religion.
So, despite numerous religious leaders calling on their members to get vaccinated, those who refuse due to religious reasons can still do so as long as it is sincerely held.
However, anyone who brings a case to court will likely have to prove that they are opposed to all vaccines and not just the COVID-19 vaccine, Sanders said. If they only object to one, that could present problems for them.
Another factor could be the COVID-19 pandemic itself.
In the context of the First Amendment, there is no emergency exemption, Sanders said. However, the scope of those freedoms could be hindered, such as by not limiting the number of people allowed in a church at one time due to social distancing.
The state of the economy might play a role in these decisions as well, especially if there are industries still struggling to get workers, Sanders said.
Weve seen their inability to have any predictability on how a case will turn, Sanders said. Thats risky for people bringing a claim, and its also risky for the government making a regulation.
One thing that is predictable, however, is the timing of these cases.
Federal and state courts are still backed up, Sanders said, and no one knows how long the pandemic will continue. If the pandemic eases by the end of next spring, courts may find the cases on mandates moot.
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CEDAR FALLS/HUDSON, Iowa (KWWL) - As employers and schools continue to mandate vaccines and masks, the amount of religious exemptions is going up. Local pastors say religion is a legitimate excuse to not receive the vaccine, or have to wear a mask.
Truth and honesty are all pastors are asking for when using faith to get out of something like a COVID-19 vaccine or wearing a mask to protect yourself and others from the virus.
"A lot of it is rooted in caution and that hindered conscience," Faith Baptist Church Pastor Sam Jones said.
As many continue to question whether or not religion is a legitimate reason to be exempt from a COVID-19 vaccine, local pastors say, it is.
"We're not saying that every Christian should think this way or that way about it but again taking it on a case by case basis," Candeo Church Teaching Pastor Jake Hering said.
The church members who have concerns, have worries about the long-term effects of the vaccine and mask-wearing. Many have brought up mental and physical health concerns.
"We could see how someone can maybe want to be exempt from those things at least for now," Hering said.
Hering said the pastors at the Cedar Falls church don't impose their own personal beliefs when signing the exemptions, but rather listen to the reasons the church members have.
The pastors also don't just provide exemptions for anyone. The Candeo Church tries to only accept exemption requests from church members, after asking questions and having a conversation.
"Is this truly a conscience level issue for you from a religious standpoint? Or is this something else that you're just trying to use your faith as a cover for something else? Because we don't want that either because that's disingenuous," Hering said.
Not too far away, Faith Baptist Church in Hudson is taking a similar stance. The pastor there already signing nearly 50 exemptions related to COVID-19.
"It's an out of bounds move by the civil government or even by a business or something like that. Something that doesn't have that jurisdiction," Pastor Sam Jones said.
Jones even wrote up a four-paragraph letter template to provide churches and Christians who believe they have "no responsibility to obey any government outside of the scope that has been designated by God."
"Really what it is is self-government, it's not somebody else governing them so that's outside of their scope too so I try not to think about what other people feel or think," Jones said.
Both Pastor Jones and Hering believe that folks should be honest and not abuse religion in order to benefit themselves and maybe even their political values just to get an exemption. Neither of them has had any issues with the religious exemptions being rejected.
Candeo Church pastors have signed about three exemptions, two of which Hering said were for students at the Cedar Falls Schools exempting them from having to wear a mask as their mask mandate was temporarily reinstated.
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