By TJ
May 26, 2021 | 12:19 PM
WINONA, Minn. (KWNO)-The Winona County vaccination effort has fallen behind the state and neighboring counties.
Recent analysis from Minnesota Public Radio shows just under 60% of residents ages 16 and older have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine. That figure is over 70% in Olmsted and Fillmore Counties and over 60% in Wabasha and Houston Counties.
Minnesota’s vaccine dashboard shows 64% of the state’s residents ages 16 and up have gotten at least one shot.
“We’re noticing that that population who has been willing to receive the vaccine has already received that vaccine. This has made local public health, medical providers have to think creatively of how we can meet others where they’re at to receive their vaccine,” said Winona County Public Health Supervisor Melanie Tatge.
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WINONA, Minn. (KWNO)-Winona County Health and Human Services will offer the one-shot Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic on Thursday.
The clinic runs from 6-7 p.m. at the East End Rec Center. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine was paused for 10 days while federal health officials investigated six cases of blood clots out of the 6.8 million shots that were distributed.
Officials concluded the benefits of the J&J vaccine outweigh the risks.
“We have complete confidence that the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is safe,” said Winona County Public Health Supervisor Melanie Tatge.
Local officials say have not received reports of blood clots from any of the 100 residents who got the Johnson and Johnson shot earlier this year. Tatge said local vaccine providers will no longer call people to tell them it’s their turn for a shot.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KWNO)-The Minnesota Department of Health is distributing vaccine doses to college campuses.
Winona County Public Health Supervisor Melanie Tatge told KWNO Wednesday that Winona State and Minnesota State College Southeast received a combined allotment of 100 doses to administer to students and staff. Tatge said MDH is encouraging members of the 18-24 age group, who saw the highest number of COVID-19 infections during last year’s surge, to get their shot.
Tatge points out the university’s allotment comes as the spring semester winds down. She said students should still get their shot in Winona, even if they plan on living elsewhere during the summer break.
Photo: Winona Health
WINONA, Minn. (KWNO)-Winona County Health and Human Services and Winona Health are planning to hold COVID-19 vaccine clinics on Thursday.
Winona Health will administer second doses of the vaccine Thursday morning then move to first-time doses that afternoon. Appointments for first-time doses start at 1 p.m. and walk-ins are welcome starting at 2 p.m.
Winona County Public Health will host a clinic at the Dakota Community Center, 725 Frontage Road, Dakota, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome but health officials ask people interested in getting a shot to preregister.
“The reason to get the vaccine is to not only protect yourself but to protect the community and your loved ones,” said Winona County Public Health Supervisor Melanie Tatge.