Health department urges COVID-19 vaccinations before expected winter surge

RICHMOND, Ind. — Wayne County COVID-19 cases followed one predictable pattern the past two months: They rose after school started.

And another predictable pattern approaches. During COVID-19's first two winters, case totals climbed through November, December and January. That makes now the time for residents to come up to date on their COVID vaccinations, said Christine Stinson, executive director of the county's health department, to health board members Thursday.

"Now is the time to get the bivalent booster," Stinson said.

That vaccine is available to ages 12 and older if it's been two months since their last booster or second primary vaccine dose. The health department provides free boosters as well as primary monovalent vaccine doses.

The six winter months — November and December 2020; January, November and December 2021; and January 2022 — have accounted for 11,377 of Wayne County's 21,716 laboratory-confirmed cases since March 2020. That's 52.4% of all cases.

Dr. David Jetmore, the county's health officer, reported totals of laboratory-confirmed cases rising and falling the past two months after previously seeing mostly strong swings up and strong swings down. He said 21% of recent COVID cases are people who have received vaccinations; however, none of the five Wayne County residents who died COVID-related deaths during August was up to date on vaccinations.

He urges vaccinated residents to continue using caution.

"Even with the vaccine, you cannot be totally cavalier about where you go and what you do," Jetmore said.

Jetmore and Stinson also urged residents to receive flu shots. They can be administered at the same time as COVID-19 vaccinations.

Vaccine Summit

The health department is organizing with partner Reid Health a Vaccine Summit from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 13 at Reid's Lingle Hall.

Dr. Jerome Adams, a former U.S. surgeon general; Dr. Kristine Box, the state health department's commissioner; and Katharine Head, an Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis professor, will guest speakers. Adams will speak about "History of Vaccine Prevention Programming," Box about "Impact of Vaccination Programs in Indiana and Wayne County" and Head about "How to Address Vaccine Hesitancy and Reluctance."

"I think it's fantastic you came up with this and are having such important speakers here in our city," Jetmore said to Stinson.

The free event includes vendor booths during the first hour, then continues with the speakers beginning at 6 p.m. WCTV will broadcast the event on Facebook Live. In addition to healthcare professionals, Stinson encourages parents to participate to learn about all of their children's vaccinations.

"It's going to be a very informative session," she said. "We just want people vaccinated."

HIV grant

The board approved the health department's application for $190,800 in state funding for HIV Prevention programming that impacts Wayne, Randolph, Henry, Fayette, Rush, Union and Delaware counties.

The health department has become involved with testing and treating Wayne County's jail inmates. The inmates volunteer to be tested for HIV, hepatitis C and sexually transmitted diseases.

Stinson said the program has been well-received by inmates with about 55 participating in a month. By testing the county's most at-risk population, Stinson said more cases will be discovered, although that does not mean there's an outbreak. An increase in cases is expected with increased testing.

Eyelash extensions

Stinson informed the health board members that beginning Oct. 1, the state will implement an unfunded mandate for local health departments to regulate eyelash extensions.

She said the department would monitor complaints for the next year, but she does not think a local ordinance is necessary. A form will be put on the health department's website for anyone wishing to complain about eyelash extension problems.

Monkeypox

Jetmore reported that there has yet to be a monkeypox case in Wayne County. There have been 189 in Indiana and eight in the region.

The health department does offer monkeypox vaccinations. The vaccinations are recommended for high-risk individuals, which includes people exposed to monkeypox, men who have sex with men, people having sex with multiple or unknown partners and people in extended, close contact with others at raves or music festivals.

This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Health officials urge COVID vaccinations before expected winter surge