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Local health care providers are pleased with the response they have seen from area residents who have signed up for COVID-19 vaccination clinics.
Capital Region Medical Center's Dr. Randall Haight reported during Thursday's Cole County COVID-19 briefing that the Jefferson City hospital has received Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, both of which have been shown to be almost 95 percent effective against COVID-19.
"We've gotten reports that these vaccines are also doing well against the new variants of COVID which have been found," Haight said. "Both companies can quickly change their vaccines if a booster is needed, but right now that hasn't been necessary."
Haight said those who have received vaccinations through CRMC have tolerated the first shot well, with most patients reporting a sore arm for a day or two.
"Some people on the first or second shot may have flu-like symptoms, such as aches and fatigue, for up to 36 hours," Haight said. "The patients who have gotten the vaccine from us have said they were excited to get it and very comfortable with the side effects."
Before receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, people should be well hydrated and well rested, Haight advised. They should also talk to their physicians to verify whether they can take medicine, such as acetaminophen, to treat some of the side effects they might experience.
St. Mary's Hospital's Dr. Lenora Adams said those who have previously been infected with the coronavirus should still plan to get the vaccine.
"While many of those who tested positive only had mild symptoms from their infection, those with moderate and severe effects are sometimes reporting symptoms persisting after their quarantine was over," Adams said. "Between 33-87 percent who required hospitalization continued to report symptoms as long as two months after being discharged. About 33 percent of those not hospitalized also reported persistent symptoms."
The most common reports were of coughing, fatigue, difficulty breathing, and mental health symptoms like depression and anxiety, she said.
"If that sounds like you, we ask that you reach out to your physician, especially if this has persisted for many months," Adams said. "If you have new and worsening symptoms, then it's time to reach out."
Officials from both Jefferson City hospitals said they continue to see active COVID-19 case numbers decrease.
As of Thursday, St. Mary's Hospital had one active COVID-19 patient and CRMC had none.
However, Haight, Adams and Cole County Health Department Director Kristi Campbell continued to urge residents to take precautions such as social distancing, wearing masks when not able to social distance, avoiding large gatherings of people and practicing good hand hygiene.
"While we are getting vaccines, the amount we have is still limited, so we need residents to continue to follow these preventive measures," Campbell said. "All of our vaccination events are by appointment only."
The first public COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Jefferson City will take place from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. today at The Linc on Lafayette Street in Jefferson City.
The entrance to the event will be at the Lafayette Street and Stadium Boulevard roundabout. Because parking is limited, Campbell said they ask that people arrive 15 minutes before their appointment.
"Only the person that signed up for the vaccination will be allowed to come into the Linc," Campbell said.
This clinic will target Cole County residents who are age 65 and older or who are considered at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
"It will be similar to what other health organizations have been doing at their clinics," Campbell said. "There will be several rows of chairs spread 6 feet apart. Participants check in and then go sit down. Someone comes to them with a cart, talks with them and checks their paperwork, then gives the shot. The participants sit there for 15 minutes to make sure there is no reaction, and if not, they can leave."
Campbell said they hope to give 2,000 Pfizer vaccinations during the clinic.
"If somebody doesn't show up for their appointment, we will make sure those vaccine doses don't go to waste," Campbell said. "We we will have a list, and as the end of the day comes and we see we have some extra doses, then we will go back to our list of those signed up but couldn't get into this clinic and we'll call them and ask them to get there as quickly as possible to get a shot."
Cole County residents who want to schedule a future vaccination appointment can call the Cole County Health Department at 573-636-2181 if they do not have a primary care physician. The department's webpage will be updated so people will be able to sign up for appointments online, but the technology isn't in place yet, Campbell said last week.
Dr. Crystal Sullivan, of Community Health Center of Central Missouri, said the center will continue to host free community COVID-19 testing events. These are scheduled Feb. 17, March 3 and March 19, each from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at American Legion Post 5 in Jefferson City.
Advanced registration for the testing events is recommended by visiting health.mo.gov/communitytest.
"These are nasal swab tests and results usually come back in two days," Sullivan said. "These events are open to any Missouri resident."
The Cole County Health Department has reported 7,738 total confirmed COVID-19 cases and 101 COVID-19 deaths as of Wednesday.