Nearly 60 Percent Of County Population 12 And Older Fully Vaccinated For COVID-19

The number of Mills County residents vaccinated for COVID-19 continues to slowly rise according to the latest statistics released Monday morning by the Mills County Public Health Office.

As of Monday, 59 percent of the Mills County population age 12 and older was fully vaccinated for the virus. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention website states that in general, people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second dose in a two-dose series of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two weeks after a single-dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

Public health officials are continuing to recommend vaccinations as the best measure to limit spread of COVID-19 and minimize effects of the virus to those who become infected.

COVID-19 booster shots are also encouraged for persons who have received the primary doses of the vaccine.

MCPH Administrator Julie Lynes noted the Iowa Department of Public Health has opened COVID-19 booster shots to everyone age 18 and older.

“You can choose either a Pfizer or Moderna booster six months after the second dose,” Lynes said. “For those who get the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the wait time for a booster is two months. And people can mix and match boosters from any company.”

Lynes said both first series and booster dose vaccines are readily available in Mills County.

“Our local doctor’s offices have the vaccine to give by appointment. Local pharmacies, including Hy-Vee, Medicap and Kohll’s also have extended hours and weekend availability to schedule your appointment,” she said. “At Mills County Public Health, we are offering several “walk-in” clinics this week and into the month of December.”

All Mills County Public Health vaccination clinics are now taking place at the MCPH office in Glenwood (403 Railroad Ave.). Additional information about the vaccination clinics is available by calling 712-527-9699.

Presently, there are 45 active cases of COVID-19 in Mills County. On Monday, the positivity rate for the county stood at 22.76 percent.

“Our positivity rate fluctuates significantly, depending on how many people are testing on any given day,” MCPH Nursing Coordinator Lorri Greiner said. “Over the past week, it has been down to 10 percent and as high as 23 percent. We are finding that many people who are testing are symptomatic and therefore more likely to have a positive test. From the phone calls that the nursing department has been taking today, I believe that we are going to see our county continue to be in a high transmission rate for the time being.

“A lot of the phone calls involved Thanksgiving gatherings and these numbers and tests have not even come through the system yet.”

Greiner said she would like to see a higher vaccination rate for persons age 12 and older in Mills County.

“I would like to see an increase in this number, but feel that it will be a slow increase,” she said.

Mills County has had 30 COVID-19-related deaths.