The Polk County Health Department is urging people to get their latest respiratory shots, despite the alarmingly low number of shots reported in recent months. Hospitalization rates for influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus are at record highs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's been since March. Coupled with that high vaccination rate, the number of people vaccinated against respiratory diseases is surprisingly low. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, 12.4% of Polk County residents are up to date on the coronavirus. 19 vaccines. This is a staggering decrease from the 68.5% of people who had received their latest flu shot as of August 31st. The department also said 31.3% of Polk County residents received their latest flu shot this year. This is the lowest rate since the department began reporting. Also, according to the CDC, nationally he reports that 17% of adults over the age of 60 have received her RSV vaccine. Madisan Vangundy with the Polk County Health Department said no matter how healthy you are, it's important to remember other vaccines. “Think about your grandparents. Think about the pregnant mothers around you. Think about those fighting cancer. By receiving the latest respiratory shots, It also helps protect their health,” she said. Moyne's neighbors have different ideas about why vaccination rates are dropping at this time of year. “I think people are prioritizing other things during this time, especially as the concerns about COVID-19 seem to be fading a little bit,” Tom Jensen said. “It's been several years since COVID-19,” said Tami McLaren. Van Gundy said no matter how many COVID-19 vaccines a person has received, only the most recent vaccination needs to be considered current. Ta. If you haven't been vaccinated in the past six months, it's time to get vaccinated again.
The Polk County Health Department is reminding people to get their respiratory shots renewed after an alarmingly low number of doses have been reported in recent months.
according to Centers for Disease Control and Preventionhospitalization rates for influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus are at their highest since March.
Coupled with these high vaccination rates, the number of people vaccinated against respiratory diseases is surprisingly low.
According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, 12.4% of Polk County residents are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccine.
This is a surprising decrease from the 68.5% of people who knew the latest information as of August 31st.
The department also said 31.3% of Polk County residents received their latest flu shot this year.
This is the lowest percentage since the department began reporting the numbers online in 2017.
Additionally, 17% of adults 60 and older nationwide report having received the RSV vaccine, according to the CDC.
Madisan Vangundy with the Polk County Health Department said no matter how healthy you are, it's important to remember others you may be putting at risk.
“Think about your grandparents. Think about the pregnant mothers around you. Think about those fighting cancer. By receiving the latest respiratory shots, It also helps protect their health,” she said.
Neighbors in Des Moines have different ideas about why vaccination rates are so low at this time of year.
“I think people are prioritizing other things at this point in the season, especially as the concerns about COVID-19 seem to be fading a little bit,” said Tom Jensen.
“I think people are just complacent with the status quo. It's been several years since COVID-19,” Tami McLaren said.
VanGundy said no matter how many COVID-19 vaccines a person has received thus far, only the most recent vaccination is required to be considered current. However, if you haven't been vaccinated in the past six months, it's time to get another shot.
