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Health care worker vaccine mandate presses forward while state worries of even worse staff shortagesLast week, the Supreme Court allowed the federal health care worker coronavirus vaccine mandate to go through. A lower court had put the mandate on pause in late November. Now any employee, volunteer or contractor working at health care facilities receiving Medicaid or Medicare funding has to be fully vaccinated, be tested weekly or provide an exemption by Feb. 28.
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Big cats like lions are susceptible to COVID-19. So are mink and some hoofed animals, like deer. So many zoos are using a vaccine specifically made for animals to try and keep their often-endangered residents healthy.
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More than half of Wyoming's nursing home residents have gotten a COVID-19 booster – that puts them above the national average.
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A federal court has paused the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers in Wyoming and ten other states. The mandate required almost every employee, volunteer, and contractor at health care facilities that receive federal funding to have received at least the first dose of the vaccine prior to Dec. 6.
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The contracts would have been used to assist with the public health department's rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine education campaign using federal funds already approved by the commission.
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After a long wait, children aged five to 11 are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. While many parents and children breathed a sigh of relief, others might be questioning the necessity of a vaccine for one of the most resilient age groups. Wyoming Public Radio's Jeff Victor spoke with Wyoming Public Health Officer Alexia Harrist, who said children and their communities benefit from vaccination.
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Kinli is a Laramie Middle School student with asthma and congenital lung conditions. She lost a family member to COVID and almost lost a second. Wyoming Public Radio's Jeff Victor spoke to Kinli about finally getting vaccinated. She says everyone who is able to get a vaccine should get one — especially to protect the immunocompromised people who can't get one themselves.
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The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines seems to wane over time. And Pfizer and Moderna booster shots are currently being recommended for fully vaccinated Americans who are 18 and older. Wyoming Public Radio's Jeff Victor wondered if it's still a good idea to get one.
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Retired Cody, Wyoming family physician Dr. Greg McCue says the current pace of the virus could seriously affect patient care. He's taking his time to recruit signatures of doctors, physician's assistants, and nurse practitioners that will appear in advertisements in support of the vaccine.
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A special legislative session against federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates led to a lot of debate but no substantive legislation this week. The result was a bit of a surprise, but many think lawmakers bit off more than they could chew.