Vaccine rollout continues; Rock County at nearly 30 percent

Nearly 30 percent of Rock County residents have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
On Wednesday a second-dose clinic was offered for K-12 staff at Grand Prairie Events in Luverne, and 165 first-dose appointments were added to this clinic.  
Jason Kloss of Southwest Health and Human Services worked with local leaders to get the message out with information on how to sign up for appointments.
“We initially were offering this clinic for essential workers in Phase 1b,” Kloss said. 
“However, the governor announced last week that starting on March 30, anyone 16 years and older is eligible to receive the COVID vaccine.”   
SWHHS is currently dispensing the Moderna vaccine at its clinics, so it’s available only to people 18 years and older.    
Kloss said Rock County is making good progress with vaccinations.   
“Sanford Luverne continues to have weekly vaccination clinics,” he said. “Tammy Loosbrock (hospital director) reported to me that her staff have vaccinated over 2,000 people since December.”
SWHHS conducted a vaccination clinic at Premium Pork on March 25 when 80 employees received their shots. “We were hoping to vaccinate more, but it’s a start.”
Kloss said vaccine hesitancy continues to be a barrier, as was observed with employees at Premium Pork. 
“Even though the COVID-19 vaccines have received FDA emergency use authorization, the vaccines are held to the same safety standards as all vaccines,” he said. “In addition, no significant safety concerns were identified in the clinical trials, although a small number of severe allergic reactions were reported during the initial rollout.” 
 FDA and CDC monitor safety and side effects once vaccines are in use, and all providers are required to report incidents. 
“In our region, we have observed only a very small number of allergic reactions,” Kloss said.