Vaccine survey results released by RCPH
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Ringgold County Public Health recently surveyed the community to determine information on vaccine hesitancy.
“What we found was mostly similar to nationwide data. One thing that differed was no identified barriers in access to vaccine,” states Becky Fletchall, Nurse Administrator.
Unlike other places in the state and nation, Ringgold County Public Health has been delivering vaccine to those with travel barriers since the beginning of the vaccination campaign.
“We continue to offer delivery to those who request it,” states Fletchall.
Survey respondents of Ringgold County citizens numbered 221. The majority of respondents (55 percent) had already vaccinated. Of those that have not yet vaccinated, 43 percent have concerns of vaccine safety, 29 percent wish to wait until vaccine is FDA licensed, 11 percent are undecided, 11 percent have the misunderstanding that previous illness protects them, and the balance listed a number of varied reasons.
Information from the survey has been shared with local medical care providers.
“I believe it’s important to know the public perception,” states Fletchall.
Mount Ayr Medical Clinic offers Moderna vaccine for individuals age 18 and over and can be reached at 641-464-4470.
Public Health continues to offer COVID vaccination via walk-in appointment for those age 12 and up as well as scheduled appointments during our usual office hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The agency will also be coordinating with local schools at their registration events in August to offer vaccination to anyone who qualifies.
“States with lowest vaccination rates are seeing the greatest uptick in cases and hospitalizations” states Fletchall. “Vaccine has been proven safe nation-wide with over 160 million people fully vaccinated. Higher rates of community vaccination result in lower incident rates of COVID illness. I’m thankful for those who have chosen to vaccinate to protect themselves, their family/friends, and the community, Please talk with your trusted medical care professional if you have questions about vaccine.”
State-wide in Iowa, 46.2 percent of the population is fully vaccinated for COVID. Ringgold County lags behind this average at 42 percent. Adams County is at 43 percent, Decatur County is 32 percent, Taylor County 37 percent, Union County 40 percent, and Clarke at 41 percent.
In the last two weeks, Ringgold County has had five positive COVID-19 cases.
More information is available at: https://coronavirus.iowa.gov. The state’s website is now updated weekly on Wednesdays.
Please call 641-464-0691 with questions or if you are interested in receiving vaccine.
