Boost up

Local public health officials are urging individuals who've put off their COVID-19 vaccine booster to stop procrastinating.

With the emergence of the highly-transmissible omicron variant and holiday gatherings now over, Clay County Public Health coordinator Colette Rossiter is expecting COVID-19 infections to rise in northwest Iowa. She said vaccinated people should schedule their booster shot if they haven't received it yet to improve their odds at avoiding serious illness or death if they catch the virus.

"One comment we hear often is that people who have received COVID-19 vaccinations can still become infected with COVID," Rossiter said. "That's true, however, studies have consistently demonstrated that if someone who is fully vaccinated becomes infected, they are much less likely than a non-vaccinated person to become seriously ill, potentially hospitalized or risk death."

O'Brien County Public Heath Director Kim Morran reported that approximately 48 percent of eligible individuals are vaccinated in O'Brien County.

"We have given a lot of boosters, but I still wish that our numbers of vaccinated and boosted individuals would increase," she said. "I feel like everyone has their own reason for not getting vaccinated or boosted, and all the reasons vary. I just wish that people could see the data and make more of an informed decision. I am really concerned about the individuals that are refusing yet at this point to get vaccinated."

Fully vaccinated individuals should get their booster shots at different intervals depending on which brand they received. Those fully vaccinated with two doses of the Pfizer shot can now receive a booster five months after their second inoculation, while Moderna is six months and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson is two months.

"It's strongly encouraged to receive a booster vaccine when eligible," Rossiter said.

Positive cases have increased throughout northwest Iowa in recent weeks. Rossiter believes the numbers reported by the Iowa Department of Public Health aren't a true reflection of infection rates, especially now that the holidays are over.

"We know that those who take at-home tests do not always report results, so the number of cases in our area may even be higher than the data suggests," she said. "Colder temperatures and holiday gatherings have resulted in more people gathering indoors together, which increases risk of transmission."

More infections often mean an increase in hospitalizations. That's not the case locally, as Clay County was reporting only one coronavirus-related hospitalization on Tuesday evening while O'Brien County had zero.

Spencer Hospital President Bill Bumgarner is hoping beds stay open locally. Staff shortages have made patient care difficult during the pandemic and even more so lately.

"When a health professional or one of their family members becomes ill with COVID-19, the result is one less professional available to care for patients who need hospital services," he said. "Hospitals, clinics and other healthcare providers need the public's help to manage the increased demand on healthcare resources. This is not a concern that's happening somewhere else. We are being impacted in northwest Iowa."

The best way to ease that impact is by getting vaccinated or receiving a booster.

"We just can't wish away the disruptions health concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," Bumgarner said. "Citizens must take the proven actions that mitigate the impact of the virus and serve to better protect our families and communities."