There’s been an 11 percent decline in vaccination numbers nationwide this week, a trend that has health officials worried the campaign may be slowing down too early.
State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter said that trend is concerning because the longer the vaccine campaign takes, the greater the chance COVID variants could become a serious problem.
“Across the country and across the world there is a particular urgency with the vaccine efforts right now with the variants and you can look across the country in Michigan, the northeast, a couple other states are really experiencing that,” said Kanter.
As of Thursday, 1.45 million Louisianans have initiated their vaccine series, about 31 percent of the state. By age that’s 41 percent of those 18 and older and 74 percent of those 65 and older.
Kanter said initially there was a surge in vaccine interest, but now that that first group of vaccine enthusiasts has received a shot we need to focus on those who are on the fence.
“We need to be targeting Louisianans who have been waiting and seeing what is going to happen, who might have questions, who might intend to get vaccinated but don’t feel that urgency at this moment,” said Kanter.
Kanter said if you’ve been vaccinated, reach out to those around you who are hesitant and encourage them to get the shot. He says this next phase of the campaign will require grassroots work.
“It is going to be a harder phase, a more challenging phase for us, it’s going to be more work but this is what we need to do,” said Kanter. “We need to be reaching individuals to engage in conversation.”
This week the state knocked on thousands of doors and left thousands of pro-vaccine pamphlets. This Monday over 100,000 letters will be mailed to Louisianans encouraging them to get a vaccine, and pointing them to where they can get one.
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