County lags
in vaccination
Staff writer
Although 50% of state residents have been vaccinated against COVID-19, just 34.3% of Marion County residents have been, according to county health nurse Diedre Serene.
According to Kansas Department of Health and Environment data, 4,075 Marion County residents have been fully vaccinated.
Even though all cities in the county have now rescinded their mandates to wear masks, heath officials stress the importance of vaccinations.
Of vaccinations given in Marion County, 80 were given by St. Luke Hospital and Clinic, 280 by Hillsboro Hospital, and 2,616 by the health department.
The remaining vaccinations were given by pharmacies, health departments, and hospitals or clinics outside the county.
“I’m pleased at our state’s consistent progress in getting shots in arms — but we still can’t take our foot off the gas,” governor Laura Kelly said in a press release last week. “Every Kansan must get vaccinated to protect our communities, our schools, and our economy from future outbreaks, and maintain our steady return to normal.”
Kelly noted that hospitalization rates among young people still were rising nationwide.
“It’s critical that all Kansans age 12 and older get vaccinated,” Kelly said. “Health experts continue to demonstrate a thorough, deliberate review process when it comes to vaccines, making safety the number one priority in vaccine approval.”
Only one new case of COVID was reported by the county health department in this past week. Two people remain in isolation because of the virus.
The department will offer a vaccination clinic Tuesday. Both walk-ins and appointments are welcome.
Appointments are being accepted at (620) 382-2550 and on the department’s website.
The health department will take vaccines on a road tour of rural communities June 23.
Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccinations will be given to anyone 18 and older.
The schedule is:
- Tampa — 8 to 9 a.m.
- Lincolnville — 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
- Florence — 11 a.m. to noon.
- Burns — 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
- Peabody — 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.
- Goessel — 4 to 5 p.m.
- Lehigh — 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The vaccination road tour could be the last time Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be available.