Booster shots could become an annual occurrence for 2-state residents
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine are now a reality as immunocompromised people are starting to get them, and soon it will be a reality for every other fully vaccinated person.
Health officials expect the general public will likely be able to get booster shots later this year, due to studies showing immunity from the initial two doses of the vaccine gets weaker over time. Experts say people should get a booster shot eight months after getting fully vaccinated.
And that booster doses could earn you a payout. The Augusta Commission on Thursday approved paying people $100 in American Rescue Plan funds to get vaccinated. Those who’ve already been vaccinated wouldn’t be eligible, but those who receive a booster shot can be.
In the CSRA, Augusta University Health is already giving booster vaccinations to the immunocompromised in its clinics. Dr. Jose Vazquez, an infectious disease expert with the health system, says demand is high among those individuals.
Across the Savannah River, South Carolina State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell says a COVID-19 shot could become yearly like the flu shot.
“If the coronavirus changes over time from one year to the next like the flu virus does, then we may see the need for annual dosing to get the best protection in the population,” she said.
However, it’s still tough to tell for sure at this stage.
“It’s really hard to say,” Bell said.
Get vaccinated, doctors at flooded Georgia hospitals plead
Health care providers at some of Georgia’s largest hospital systems are warning about the increasing toll of the state’s latest coronavirus surge on younger patients, hospital staffs and health care capacity.
Doctors and a nurse from six hospital systems inundated with COVID-19 patients implored people at a news conference Thursday to get vaccinated, wear masks and avoid large gatherings.
Hospitals around the state have urged ambulances to take patients elsewhere amid a dramatic increase in COVID patients.
It’s fueled by the delta variant among those who are unvaccinated.
At just 42%, the state’s vaccination rate is well below the national average.
How local hospitals are coping
The call for shots comes as local hospitals fill up with patients due to a COVID surge driven by the super-contagious delta variant of the coronavirus. The surge has AU Health and University Hospital re-evaluating elective surgeries that require an overnight stay, due to staffing and space issues.
Statistics from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and at least two local hospitals show most of the hospitalized patients in the current COVD surge are unvaccinated.
Here are the latest statistics from local hospitals:
- As of Thursday, University Hospital in Augusta had 105 COVID inpatients, seven of whom are vaccinated. Ten patients are on ventilators and 16 are in intensive care. One vaccinated person is on a ventilator and in intensive care.
- Doctors Hospital had 59 inpatients, four of whom are vaccinated. Of the 13 inpatients in intensive care and eight on ventilators, one of those people is vaccinated.
- The Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center had 18 COVID inpatients Thursday, with eight of them in intensive care.
- Aiken Regional Medical Center had 34 inpatients as of Thursday.
- Augusta University Health had 96 COVID inpatients Thursday, down two. Six of Thursday’s inpatients were children, down two.
The spike on the right side of this chart shows the current COVID-19 surge in hospitals in the Georgia portion of the CSRA:
South Carolina kids and COVID
South Carolina on Wednesday released data regarding cases of COVID-19 in South Carolina schools.
State officials say well over 200 students statewide have contracted the coronavirus since they started tracking that data on Aug. 2. In addition to that, 61 teachers have tested positive for COVID-19. A 16-year-old student in Lancaster County died as a result of COVID-19.
When it comes to children, State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell says it’s important to they may still have to quarantine even if they don’t test positive, since kids in close with positive cases have to isolate.
“The entire class does not need to be sent home. Only the close s. There are options to shorten the quarantine period to seven or 10 days, but schools may decide whether or not they’re going to adopt those options,” she said.
Bell says it’s important for people to get the vaccine if they have children who are too young to get the vaccine so they’re protecting both their child and themselves.
Also in the news ...
NEW KEMP ORDER: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday signed an executive order preventing businesses from being required to follow any local COVID restrictions. The governor says the economy is just starting to bounce back, and he doesn’t want businesses obligated to be “the mask or vaccine police.” The order doesn’t apply to schools and government facilities.
COLUMBIA LAWSUIT: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is suing the City of Columbia over its school mask mandate, saying the ordinance violates state law. He said the lawsuit “would also apply to all cities, towns, counties, and school boards that have ed or are seeking to mask mandates similar to Columbia’s.”
MORE SEEK TESTS: The delta variant is driving demand for COVID-19 tests across our area. The demand to get tested is so high, AU Health says it’s considering expanding those drive-thru hours. The hospital is also considering opening back up some of its other testing options.
HAPPY CUSTOMERS: Due to the transmissibility of the delta variant, a number of two-state businesses – and national chains – are taking steps they say are in line with keeping their staff and customers safe. And some customers welcome the decisions.
MASK BATTLE: President Joe Biden ordered his education secretary to explore possible legal action against states that have blocked school mask mandates and other public health measures meant to protect students against COVID-19.
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