COVID-19 cases did not increase in the state this week
COVID-19 has been in the United States for a year now, and Mississippi has had 263,023 cases reported since February 2020 and 5,752 deaths. However, things are starting to look up.
Vaccine distribution started early this month, and while only two percent of the state has been vaccinated, daily cases are not going up compared to last week.
Currently Mississippi is only vaccinating healthcare workers, adults 65 years-old and up and those with underlying health conditions such as cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Down syndrome, severe heart conditions, immunocompromised stats from a solid organ transplant, obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, diabetes or any other medical conditions determined by a doctor or nurse pracitioner.
Right now, it is time for the people from the first vaccines at the beginning of the month to receive their second dose. When it comes to the second dose, you must return to the same place you got the first vaccine. If you got the Pfizer dose, it must be at least 21 days after the first shot, and with the Moderna vaccine, you must wait at least 28 days from the first dose.
Alayna Stevens, a Sturgis resident and mother of one, feels the state is doing decent with vaccinations but has concerns about the second round.
“I feel like Mississippi is doing fair with the vaccination. I know quite a few of my family members and coworkers who have been able to get the first round,” Stevens said. “However, I know that some people are struggling to get the second round. My grandpa in particular received the first round two weeks ago and he is unable to get the second round because it’s not available yet.”
Stevens is not yet able to get the vaccine but plans on getting it and is concerned about her son who is only two-years-old and unable to get the vaccine as the youngest approved for the vaccine is 16-years-old.
“I will eventually get the vaccination, but I do think we need to put priority on those that are at risk and push out both rounds as quickly and effectively as possible,” Stevens said. “This pandemic has affected my family and me in quite a few ways. My concerns with the CARES Act expiriing is having to take off work due to Covidrelated things and not having access to COVID leave because I don’t have enough to cover 10-14 days. I am also concerned for my son because we don’t know the long term effects.”
Stevens shares concerns with a lot of Mississippians and the Mississippi Department of Health is updating vaccination sites two to three times a week to meet these concerns. The MSDH intends to roll out the next phase of vaccines in February, but they are working on getting the second shot into arms.
If you need to make an appointment to receive the vaccine and qualify for it, you can visit covidvaccine. umc.edu or call 877-978-6453.