Category: Covid-19 Vaccine

SSM Health joins St. Luke's and BJC as other St. Louis area hospitals to require employees to get vaccinated

ST. LOUIS SSM Health is joining other area healthcare providers in requiring employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

SSM Health announced on Monday that it will be requiring its nearly 40,000 employees, providers and volunteers to be fully vaccinated by the end of September. SSM said team members can request an exemption for medical or religious reasons, which is consistent with practices for other required vaccines.

Dr. Shephali Wulff, the system director for infectious diseases, says they weighed a number of factors in making this decision, including the fact Missouri now ranks No. 1 in the nation for new coronavirus cases.

"I think it really pushed our timetable," she said of the staggering statistic. "I think if our infection rate had been flat, and if we weren't worried about the Delta variant being about 30% of cases in Missouri, knowing that our vaccination rate is about 40% for the state of Missouri, I think our timetable might have been a little bit different."

Currently, about 65% of the SSM Health workforce is vaccinated. Soon, all will be, even if they previously caught COVID naturally.

"We know that the immunity is more reliable," Dr. Wulff said of the protections that come from the vaccine. "We know that it's probably more durable than that of natural infection. And we know that it protects against varients, which we don't know that to be true for natural infection."

SSM Health joins St. Luke's and BJC as other St. Louis area hospitals to require employees get vaccinated. St. Luke's announced all employees will be required to be vaccinated by Aug. 13.

Along with announcing an employee vaccine requirement, SSM also urged the public to continue getting vaccinated as well, as the Delta variant of COVID-19 sparks another wave of infections.

These vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective at providing long-lasting immunity to COVID-19, said Dr. Todd Shuman, MD, SSM Health Chief Medical Officer. However, we havent yet reached a level of vaccination that provides herd immunity, which is why were continuing to see dangerous surges in many communities.

SSM Health said in the past seven months it has administered close to 240,000 vaccines for employees and members of the community.

As health care providers, weve seen the devastating impact of this disease first-hand, said Dr. Shuman. The fight against COVID-19 is not yet over. We must continue to be vigilant in doing everything we can to protect our team members, patients and communities.

To schedule a vaccine appointment through SSM Health, you can click here.

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SSM Health to require all employees be vaccinated for COVID-19 by late September - KSDK.com

Vaccines are working against Covid-19, including the highly contagious delta variant but the challenge is in getting enough people inoculated, according to a professor of preventive medicine atthe Vanderbilt University School ofMedicine.

"Leaving it in the refrigerator doesn't help, that won't prevent disease. You have got to move that vaccine into arms," William Schaffner said on CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Monday.

Data collated by online scientific publication, Our World In Data, showed around 22.6% of the world's population have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine but most of them are in high-income, wealthy countries in North America and Western Europe.

Less than 1% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose.

It remains unclear if those vaccinated against Covid-19 would require booster shots down the line.

A group of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientists recently said there isn't enough data at the moment to support recommending booster shots to the general population but that more vulnerable groups, such as elderly people or transplant recipients, may need an extra dose.

Odilest Guerrier, Medical Assistant, administers a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Pasqual Cruz at a clinic set up by Healthcare Network on May 20, 2021 in Immokalee, Florida.

Joe Raedle | Getty Images

Schaffner said the need for booster shots would depend on two things.

"The duration of protection of our current vaccines, still to be determined but so far so good, and the other is, whether new variants develop that can evade the protection of our current vaccines," he said, adding that such variants have yet to appear. "We just have to get (Covid vaccines) more accepted in the population."

The coronavirus has mutated many times since the pandemic started last year.

One variant that experts say pose a major threat to eliminating Covid-19 is delta a virulent strain that was first detected in India and has since swept across the globe to over 90 countries. Delta is becoming the dominant variant of the disease globally and has been declared a "variant of concern" by the World Health Organization.

Many countries are facing vaccine hesitancy, in part due to misinformation being spread about the shots.

Even in the United States, where more than 50% of the population has received at least one dose of vaccine, inoculation efforts in some states have hit a wall as the delta variant spreads rapidly across the country. It could grow into a potential issue in parts of the U.S., especially in rural areas, where vaccination uptake remains low, making more people vulnerable to the delta variant.

We are at risk of new variants that can evade the protection of our vaccine the more the virus spreads. Not only here in the United States, but anywhere around the world.

William Schaffner

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Schaffner said that while the U.S. is in a "somewhat better position" to tackle the new variant, it is far from ideal. He explained that in some areas, the vaccination level achieved is between mid-20% to mid-30%, whereas the ideal range to stop the delta variant from spreading is around 70% to 80%. Many people who are being hospitalized due to Covid-19 are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, according to Schaffner.

"The more transmission that occurs, the more new people that are infected, the more opportunities the virus has to multiply. When it multiplies, it mutates. And when it mutates, it has the opportunity to create new variants," he said.

"We are at risk of new variants that can evade the protection of our vaccine the more the virus spreads. Not only here in the United States, but anywhere around the world," Schaffner added.

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Vaccines work against Covid but not enough people are getting the shots, U.S. doctor says - CNBC

News 12 Staff

Jun 29, 2021, 1:57pm

Updated on: Jun 29, 2021, 1:57pm

News 12's Elizabeth Hashagen was joined this morning by Dr. Sharon Nachman to discuss clinical COVID-19 vaccine trials for children.

How long does the protection from vaccines last? A new study suggests that, unlike vaccines for the flu that need a yearly booster, the two-dose Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine should keep an immune response up for years.

It takes five weeks to be fully vaccinated with Pfizer's vaccine, the only one authorized for adolescents ages 12 to 17. Pfizer's vaccine is given in two doses spaced three weeks apart. After the second dose, it takes two weeks until someone is considered fully vaccinated.

If parents have questions about vaccines, now is the time to get answers. Dr. Nachman answers some, including side effects:

We know a record number of people are expected to travel for the Fourth of July holiday this weekend. AAA forecasts 43 million Americans will hit the roads over the holiday, 5% more than the volume the organization saw in 2019. What precautions should travelers take?

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The New Normal: How long does the protection from COVID-19 vaccines last? - News 12 Bronx

DUBAI (Reuters) - Oman on Tuesday said it was expanding its COVID-19 vaccination drive to anyone over the age of 18, as it accelerates what has been the slowest rollout in the Gulf.

The wider coverage takes effect on Sunday, the health ministry said in a statement on state media. Previously, people over 45 had been eligible for COVID shots, alongside special categories such as frontline workers and pregnant women.

Media reports have said recently that hospitals nationwide were straining amid a rise in cases since January. The country has recorded 266,536 cases and 3,056 deaths in total.

Oman aims to vaccinate everyone 12 and over by the end of the year.

By mid-April, Oman had given at least one dose to around 5% of the eligible population. This had increased to 24% by June 26, according to health ministry data. A quarter of those vaccinated so far have had two doses, it showed.

Data shows 854,274 doses have been given in the country of around 4.5 million people.

(Writing by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Bernadette Baum)

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Oman expands COVID-19 vaccinations to over 18s - Yahoo News

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (WJZ) Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced Monday that covid-19 vaccinations will be available to Merriweather concert attendees this season beginning July 3.

Howard County has made tremendous progress in vaccinating our residents, leading the state across demographics but were not stopping until weve reached anyone who still wants or needs a vaccine, said Ball. Merriweather attracts visitors of all ages, from all over our region, and this is a clear opportunity to ensure that were removing barriers and providing access to vaccines to more people. We know that a virus does not see borders, and the more we can help our region get vaccinated, the better off we all will be.

Howard County Fire and EMS Mobile Integrated Community Health Team along with Health Department nurses will be on-site with all three Covid-19 vaccines.

The first clinic on July 3 will be located in the concession stand area of South Plaza. A minimum of 100 doses will be stocked per event by the Health Department.

This valuable partnership between the Health Department and the MICH is one that has allowed Howard County to successfully vaccinate so many of our citizens, said Dr. Maura Rossman, Howard County Health Officer. Working together at Merriweather is yet another unique example of meeting people where they are and making it easy to get needed healthcare, like the COVID vaccine.

The MICH and the Howard County Health Department are continuously looking for new and innovative ways to ensure that everyone who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine has access to it, said Fire Chief William Anuszewski. We hope that having a presence at Merriweather will encourage concert-goers to take full advantage of this vaccination opportunity with ease.

Merriweather is so excited to be reopening this weekend, said Jean Parker, Merriweather General Manager. We are equally as thrilled to team together with the Howard County Health Department and Fire & Rescue providing easy access to vaccines while enjoying live music again!

Howard County leads the state in vaccination efforts with 65.1 percent of all residents fully vaccinated and 76.9 percent of residents 12 and over fully vaccinated.

To find a vaccine clinic, or learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines, please visit vaccine.howardcountymd.gov.

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Howard County To Offer Covid-19 Vaccinations At Merriweather Concerts Beginning This Saturday - CBS Baltimore

The World Health Organization has said the most vulnerable will need COVID-19 booster shots every year to avoid the coronavirus variants, according to WHO internal documents obtained by Reuters.

The new WHO documents which will be discussed in an upcoming meeting suggest that annual boosters for high-risk individuals will be indicative of a normal scenario. The general population will likely need boosters every two years, according to Reuters.

The WHO said the report is a work in progress and the forecast could change with time.

Interestingly, details of the report come days after a group working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said theres no immediate evidence that COVID-19 boosters are necessary.

However, the group said there could be a need down the road, NBC News reports. And officials need to figure out whether unvaccinated people need boosters or if the world should offer boosters/shots to unvaccinated people first or fully vaccinated people, as I wrote for the Deseret News.

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Coronavirus vaccine: These people will need COVID-19 booster shots soon - Deseret News

CINCINNATI Cincinnati Public Schools decided Monday to cancel a vote on whether the district will require employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine, saying the policy needs further review.

As it was drafted Monday evening, the resolution would have required all teachers and any employee or partner working in a district building to receive at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine by Aug. 17.

At least two committee members who drafted the policy said they think this mandate helps protect the district from future outbreaks and will help keep schools open to in-person learning five days a week.

Parents seemed to be on both sides of the fence about whether CPS should require employees to be vaccinated. In a recent survey sent out by the board of education, 40% of parents said they wanted the vaccine mandate. Another 16% were undecided.

Parent Marlie George-Nappere said no one should be forced to do anything, especially for a vaccine that has been introduced so recently.

"Even if they get the vaccine, it's still children out here who didn't, and their immune systems are stronger, so it really doesn't matter if all the staff get it, she said. "It's still kids that still haven't been vaccinated."

Cincinnatis Federation of Teachers isnt behind the mandate either. President Julie Sellers said now is not the time for this and that it could cause chaos and hard feelings. She also said 85% of the union is already vaccinated and, with incentives, that could bump up to 90%.

And because the vaccines dont have full FDA approval they're only authorized for emergency use so far she only sees trouble moving forward.

It would be very difficult," Sellers said. "I'm not sure that the district has the capacity to give the teachers who need ADA accommodations. There are teachers who are very hesitant and worried about this because of historical family experiences, and they're afraid."

The policy would allow for exceptions for religious or medical reasons: The religious exemption must stem from a deeply or sincerely held religious belief or practice and political beliefs are not a sufficient enough reason to request an accommodation.

Employees who want an exemption for medical reasons would need to request those under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Ohio Civil Rights Act.

As for whether this might lead to CPS requiring students to get vaccinated, legal expert and Northern Kentucky University President Ken Katkin said thats unlikely.

"I don't think that the Ohio school boards have that authority right now, he said.

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CPS school board kicks mandatory vaccination vote back to drawing board - WCPO

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Youll be able to do more than shopping at the Chapel Hills and Citadel Malls starting Thursday -- youll be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine!

The El Paso County health department announced Monday it was setting up drive-thru clinic for vaccinations and COVID-19 testing at both locations. Currently, people can get tested for the virus at the Citadel Mall but not vaccinated, and vice versa at Chapel Hills Mall. Starting July 1, both services will be available at each of the shopping malls.

This comes as Colorado transitions from state-run vaccination sites to local providers. The Broadmoor World Arena site ended operations Sunday, and all the remaining state sites still open will cease running by July 4.

Now that Colorado is close to reaching 70 percent of adults in Colorado being vaccinated, the state will transition to local providers ... closing the six existing sites and moving to primary care physicians, pharmacies, hospitals, and local public health agencies, mobile clinics, and community based partnerships. This will help establish a more long-term, sustainable model for vaccinating more Coloradans and for any potential for booster vaccinations in the future, the state health department said.

The Citadel Mall drive-thru location will serve as a replacement for the World Arena site, keeping El Paso Countys number of drive-in vaccination clinics at two, El Paso County Public Health said.

For information on all El Paso County vaccine clinics, click here. For testing sites, click here.

Citadel Mall

Vaccine clinic open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. No appointment necessary.

Testing site open seven days a week, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. No appointment necessary.

Chapel Hills Mall

Vaccine clinic open Monday-Saturdaym 8 a.m.-6 p.m. No appointment necessary.

Testing site open seven days a week, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. No appointment necessary. (Note: Pikes Peak Community College Rampart campus testing site is relocating to Chapel Hills Mall. The Rampart site will no longer be available beginning July 1.)

(News Release from El Paso County Public Health 6/28/21)

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Citadel Mall, Chapel Hills Mall to both offer COVID-19 vaccines and testing starting July 1 - KKTV 11 News

Written by BRYAN ANDERSON

Less than half of North Carolinians eligible for a COVID-19 shot are fully vaccinated, even though there are more than 2.1 million doses waiting on shelves for residents to take.

In the two weeks since the state announced four $1 million prizes would be given out to vaccinated adults, less than 118,000 residents, about 1% of the state population, came in for a first dose.

North Carolina ranks 12th-worst in the nation in vaccines administered per capita, and second-worst among states with a Democratic governor, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Those lagging numbers were the context under which President Joe Biden visited Raleigh on Thursday to urge North Carolinians to come in for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Please, please get vaccinated, he begged, noting he was preaching to the choir at the Green Road Community Center.

Folks, there is no reason to leave yourself vulnerable to the deadly virus for one single day more, Biden told the small crowd.

Gov. Roy Cooper and Dr. Mandy Cohen, the states top public health official, are sounding the alarm that a more dangerous delta variant is spreading and communities with high unvaccinated populations are most vulnerable, even as cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue to drop statewide.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is working to expand at-home testing resources and offer more residents the ability to get paid to go in for their shot. Any North Carolina resident may receive a Pixel by Labcorp COVID-19 test kit that is shipped overnight to their home at no cost. Participating sites in 38 counties are now offering $25 cash cards to anyone 18 or older who gets their first shot or drives someone to get vaccinated.

The governors goal to get two-thirds of North Carolina adults at least partially vaccinated is months away from happening at the current rate, as only about 50,000 residents got their first dose in each of the last three weeks.

State health officials on Friday pointed to Bladen County as a particularly problematic area, given that only one in three residents are fully vaccinated and 36% have gotten at least one shot. The vaccination rates in some nearby counties are even worse. State data shows roughly one in five Hoke County residents and one in four residents in both Robeson and Cumberland counties are fully vaccinated.

Whats happening in Bladen County is preventable, Cohen said in a statement. More than 99% of new COVID-19 cases in North Carolina are in people who are not fully vaccinated. Vaccines are working.

Photo via AP Photo/Cliff Owen.

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North Carolina Remains Near Bottom in COVID-19 Vaccinations - Chapelboro.com

Many are waiting to see the results in people they trust, said Hukun Dabar, executive director of the Afro American Development Association. He postponed his Johnson & Johnson vaccine until June 20.

For myself, I took a lot of time to get the vaccine, because I was doing research. When I heard of blood clots, I also didnt take it, Dabar said. Out of more than 6.8 million Johnson & Johnson doses in the U.S., six cases of blood clots were the main catalyst behind the federal government's pause of the one-shot vaccine in April.

Dabar and others including ESHARA, a conglomeration of seven new American nonprofit groups, and the Immigrant Development Center in Moorhead are working with the North Dakota Department of Health to produce a video to dispel vaccine misinformation and encourage vaccinations.

The video will not only focus on Fargo, but also other cities across North Dakota, said Alicia Belay, public health specialist with the Health Equity Committee.

About 50.6% of North Dakota residents had received one dose of vaccine as of Friday, June 25, according to the state Department of Health vaccine dashboard. Broken down by race, 56.4% of white residents had gotten one dose, 50% of Asian residents, 47.5% of Native American residents, 40.8% of Hispanic or Latino residents and 34.6% of Black residents.

Dabar said some unvaccinated people are falling prey to misinformation, such as false rumors circulating in Fargo-Moorhead that the vaccine contains pork products (a deterrent to Muslims who heed religious dietary restrictions) and that people vaccinated will die within two years.

Some people of color have also been hesitant because they believe the vaccine came out too quickly, or they harbor suspicions because of the unethical Tuskegee syphilis study done by the U.S. government from 1932 to 1972.

They want one person to stand for them, one person who gets the shot and then they will see how they feel and then follow them. Everybody was sharing their pictures to motivate the community to say they need to get the vaccine, Dabar said.

Fowzia Adde, executive director of the Immigrant Development Center, worked with the states Health Equity Committee in producing the video. She received her vaccine in May, and since then shes been compiling photographs and video clips to include in the video that will be shared on social media.

The project is focused on local communities of color, but New Americans, Native Americans, Norwegians, I dont mind helping them. I have a big heart, Adde said.

The message she hopes to convey is that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe. Were doing an educational campaign in which we are going door to door and telling them how the vaccine is made and telling them the stories and lies that are circulating are not true. Then we show them some evidence door by door, Adde said.

Some people they have visited showed resistance to getting vaccinated. The ones that dont want to hear about it will shut the door on us, but its about one person for every 10 people. Our community is coming together, Adde said.

Kiamya Philson, North Dakota's health equity immunization coordinator, said she's helping to produce the video that she expects will be made public within a month. Were working on different projects to do a survey on what the hesitancies are, and then directly target those hesitancies and make sure everyone has equitable access to vaccinations, Philson said.

One obstacle for some new Americans is transportation to and from a vaccination site, Philson said. Language can also be a barrier, so the video will be translated or recorded in various languages.

Were trying to make sure every avenue is clear to make sure people can get vaccinated comfortably, Philson said.

Despite a lull in vaccinations over the past month, Dabar feels positive that numbers will soon rise.

Im optimistic about it. So many individuals are going to get it because right now we have the resources. People are taking their time to think about it, if they should take it or not, but if someone they know gets it and they have no problems, then I think many people will get it, Dabar said.

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Leaders in Fargo-Moorhead communities of color work to bust COVID-19 vaccine myths - INFORUM