Officials with COVID-19 Unified Command are seeing an increase in the number of Panhandle residents who are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, though the number of cases continues to rise.
Unified Command is encouraging people to get vaccinated if they are 12 years of age and older, especially for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding or who are trying to get pregnant.
“Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID compared with non-pregnant people. Getting a COVID vaccine can protect you from severe illness from COVID,” the press release stated.
For people with a moderately to severely compromised immune system are recommended to receive an additional dose of the vaccine if they were vaccinated with the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. Examples of immunocompromised people include those who have been receiving cancer treatments, people who have received an organ transplant or stem cell transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system and those who have an advanced or untreated HIV infection.
Officials encourage people to speak with their doctor about getting an additional dose of the vaccine. Currently there is no guidance on receiving additional doses for those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
“Vaccinations have protection against all known variants, including Delta,” the press release states. “For any youth age 12 and older preparing to return to school, make sure getting your COVID vaccine is on the list. COVID vaccine is available across the Panhandle. There is no charge for the vaccine.”
Since the last Monday, there have been 120 more COVID cases throughout the Panhandle. In Scotts Bluff County, there were 66 cases, and 54 cases throughout the rest of the Panhandle.