State Outlines Preparations For COVID Booster Shots

Pittsburgh PA

22 September, 2021

6:04 PM

Description

By PublicSource, Public Source September 21, 2021 PublicSource has been tracking COVID-19's spread on a daily basis since March 2020. More than a year later, in an effort to direct our resources into enterprise reporting on the pandemic and other important issues, we will cover the Allegheny County Health Department's weekly briefing on Wednesdays and update the numbers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We may adjust as the prevalence of the coronavirus ebbs and flows. If you have questions or comments, please email PublicSource's managing editor [email protected]. Vaccine providers in Allegheny County are preparing to administer COVID-19 booster shots once they receive federal approval, Health Department Director Dr. Debra Bogen said at a Wednesday press briefing. "We meet as a group and talk about vaccine distribution and vaccine needs in the county, and we're all gearing up and will be ready when we're given the signal to do so," Bogen said. Last week, an independent FDA panel recommended against giving boosters to the general population but said they are worthwhile for some vulnerable populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to give guidance soon. The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced last week that, since January 2021, 97 percent of COVID-19-related deaths and 95 percent of reported hospitalizations due to COVID-19 were among unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people. A release from the Health Department Tuesday said there are more than 2,000 providers in the state with COVID-19 vaccine inventory. "Vaccine providers — especially pharmacies — have already done a tremendous job administering more than 12 million vaccines across the state," acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said during a Tuesday briefing. "Now they are ready to get booster shots to people as quickly and efficiently as possible." In Allegheny County, COVID-19 cases among residents remain high, with about 400 new cases reported each day last week, Bogen said. COVID-19 cases are significantly more frequent and severe among unvaccinated people, Bogen said. Since June, Allegheny County residents who are unvaccinated have been seven to eight times more likely to contract COVID-19, 10 times more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 and 20 times more likely to die from COVID-19. Nearly 72% of Allegheny County residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of Sept. 22, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported. About 50 to 100 new COVID-19 cases are reported daily among children under the age of 12 in Allegheny County, Bogen said. On Friday, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh opened an outdoor medical tent to expand its ability to accommodate emergency pediatric patients, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. "For many, any wait at an emergency department is short," Andrea Kunicky, public relations manager for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, wrote in a statement to PublicSource on Sept. 17. "But, given the high numbers of people seeking emergency care at some sites, esp. at this phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must use an initial triage process in each UPMC emergency department to help prioritize patients for care when immediate space isn't available." Parents of children experiencing health issues not related to COVID-19 should seek help from a primary, urgent or emergency care provider, depending on the severity of the issue, Bogen said. Parents should be mindful of the level of care they need, she added. As of Sept. 22, there are 12 pediatric intensive care unit beds available in Allegheny County, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported. — By Amelia Winger and Charlie Wolfson Vaccination data Allegheny County in August released COVID-19 vaccination data by ZIP codes, with the county's top health official saying they would use the information to combat inequity in the response to the virus. Bogen said the county would update the data every month. Below is an interactive map showing the percentage of residents aged 10 or older who were at least partially vaccinated as of Aug. 14. ZIP codes with the highest vaccination rates included Baldwin, Wexford, Upper St. Clair and Pittsburgh neighborhoods Squirrel Hill and Lawrenceville. The areas with the lowest vaccination rates in the county included Rankin, Braddock and part of McKeesport, each under 45%. Resources COVID vaccine resources in the Pittsburgh region Housing and mental health supports amid COVID in Allegheny County Allegheny County's COVID-19 resource page with links to information on vaccines, testing sites and quarantine basics Allegheny County's map of vaccination sites (For more information or help with scheduling an appointment through Allegheny County's Area Agency on Aging, residents can call 412-350-4234.) Pennsylvania's COVID-19 vaccine rollout page This article was produced by PublicSource.org, a nonprofit news organization serving the Pittsburgh region. PublicSource tells stories for a better Pittsburgh. Sign up for their free email newsletters at publicsource.org/newsletters.