Further Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Scheduled

ROCK SPRINGS – Residents that missed the chance to obtain a COVID-19 or flu vaccine from the Sweetwater County Public Well being have two new alternatives to be vaccinated.

Two walk-in clinics will happen in November on the public well being workplace at 333 Broadway, Suite 110 in Rock Springs. The primary takes place Friday from 3:30-6:30 p.m., whereas the second clinic takes place Nov. 17, from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Together with COVID-19 and flu vaccines, high-dose flu vaccines formulated for individuals aged 65 and older may also be obtainable.

Kim Lionberger, Director of the Sweetwater County Board of Well being, mentioned the prior vaccine clinic Oct. 3 proved widespread amongst residents, with the 194 COVID-19 vaccine doses readily available being fully used up by the top of the clinic. Lionberger mentioned she was shocked with how rapidly they used the COVID-19 vaccines, forcing them to order extra doses.

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One of many adjustments from the COVID-19 pandemic is the very fact the federal government is not supplying vaccine doses, which has led to delays in receiving shipments. Lionberger mentioned some counties which have solely ordered Moderna’s vaccine have handled delays in receiving vaccine orders.

“The personal sector has dropped the ball,” Lionberger mentioned.

Sweetwater County Public Well being have handled longer wait occasions for vaccines as effectively, having been compelled to attend every week to obtain a cargo of COVID-19 vaccines.

With the flu, Lionberger mentioned there may be nonetheless time to obtain a vaccine earlier than flu season arrives. She mentioned the months with the best flu circumstances are typically December and January.

COVID-19 nonetheless circulates

The novel coronavirus first found in 2019 that led to a world pandemic remains to be circulating regionally, although it isn’t tracked as intently because it was through the pandemic. Lionberger mentioned individuals who get sick don’t usually get examined to see if the sickness is brought on by the coronavirus. As such, actual numbers of COVID-19 infections aren’t obtainable. People who do obtain COVID-19 testing have their check outcomes despatched to the Wyoming Division of Well being.

The division of well being continues to publicly preserve monitor of confirmed circumstances. Up to now in 2023, the division recorded 4,672 laboratory confirmed circumstances, with one other 2,322 possible circumstances and 83 COVID-19 associated deaths. For the week of Oct. 24, the well being division experiences 299 confirmed circumstances in 2023, with two possible and confirmed circumstances reported within the final seven days. Up to now, 5 deaths within the county have been attributed to COVID-19.

Lionberger mentioned a report she acquired from the division of well being confirmed there have been six confirmed circumstances, however finds that quantity to be low.

“I do know there are greater than six individuals with COVID-19,” she mentioned.

One technique of monitoring that provides a greater concept of how prevalent COVID-19 is within the county is testing finished at native wastewater remedy services. The testing has taken place because the pandemic and measures the focus of the coronavirus present in waste samples. Whereas an actual quantity is tough to come back by, the wastewater samples give a agency estimate as to how a lot of a given inhabitants is contaminated.