Osage County Health Department (OCHD) Administrator Kim Sallin on Tuesday said that while 17.4% of residents have now completed vaccination, she believes it’s important for everyone to get the shot. In Missouri, 21% of the population has completed the process.
“We are doing pretty well but I would still encourage everyone to consider being vaccinated,” she said.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) noted that 23.3% of the 13,615 residents in the county have initiated the process, which is well below the statewide average of 31.9%.
According to DHSS statistics, the 5,237 combined first and second doses include Pfizer and Moderna, along with Johnson & Johnson shots. However, there have been no Johnson & Johnson doses administered here.
“I didn’t care for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine because of the lower efficacy rate so I didn’t push to get it,” said Sallin. “Now they have pulled that vaccine because of issues with it.”
This vaccine was to be available at Linn Walgreen’s but it has been removed until further notice, Sallin noted.
As of Tuesday, Sallin said there were seven active cases and there have been 1,678 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, with 14 fatalities.