Polk County Health Department urges vaccine updates before holiday gatherings – KCCI Des Moines

The Polk County Health Department is urging people to get updated respiratory shots with an alarmingly low number of doses reported in recent months.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hospitalization rates for the flu, COVID-19 and RSV are the highest they've been since March.Paired with those high rates, the number of people getting vaccinated against respiratory diseases is alarmingly low.According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, 12.4% of Polk County residents are up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccine. It's a staggering drop from the 68.5% of people who were up-to-date as of Aug. 31.The department also says 31.3% of Polk County neighbors got the updated flu shot this year.It's the lowest rate since the department began reporting numbers online in 2017.And, according to the CDC, 17% of adults age 60+ nationally report receiving an RSV vaccine.Madisun VanGundy, of the Polk County Health Department, said no matter how healthy you are, it's important to remember the others you may put at risk."Think about your grandparents. Think about the pregnant mothers in your life. Think about someone who's battling cancer. By getting the updated respiratory shots, you're helping protect their health as well," she said.Des Moines neighbors have various thoughts about why the vaccine rates are coming in lower for this time of year."I think people put priorities at this time of the season on some other things, especially since it seems like COVID-19 concerns have diminished a little bit," Tom Joensen said."I suppose people are just getting complacent. It's been a few years since COVID-19," Tami McLaren said.VanGundy said no matter how many COVID-19 vaccines you've had thus far, you only need the most recent shot to be considered up to date. However, if you haven't gotten one in the last six months, it's time to get another dose.

The Polk County Health Department is urging people to get updated respiratory shots with an alarmingly low number of doses reported in recent months.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hospitalization rates for the flu, COVID-19 and RSV are the highest they've been since March.

Paired with those high rates, the number of people getting vaccinated against respiratory diseases is alarmingly low.

According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, 12.4% of Polk County residents are up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccine.

It's a staggering drop from the 68.5% of people who were up-to-date as of Aug. 31.

The department also says 31.3% of Polk County neighbors got the updated flu shot this year.

It's the lowest rate since the department began reporting numbers online in 2017.

And, according to the CDC, 17% of adults age 60+ nationally report receiving an RSV vaccine.

Madisun VanGundy, of the Polk County Health Department, said no matter how healthy you are, it's important to remember the others you may put at risk.

"Think about your grandparents. Think about the pregnant mothers in your life. Think about someone who's battling cancer. By getting the updated respiratory shots, you're helping protect their health as well," she said.

Des Moines neighbors have various thoughts about why the vaccine rates are coming in lower for this time of year.

"I think people put priorities at this time of the season on some other things, especially since it seems like COVID-19 concerns have diminished a little bit," Tom Joensen said.

"I suppose people are just getting complacent. It's been a few years since COVID-19," Tami McLaren said.

VanGundy said no matter how many COVID-19 vaccines you've had thus far, you only need the most recent shot to be considered up to date. However, if you haven't gotten one in the last six months, it's time to get another dose.

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Polk County Health Department urges vaccine updates before holiday gatherings - KCCI Des Moines