vaccines

About 8 million people have received the COVID-19 bivalent booster shot nationwide — less than 3% of the eligible U.S. population.

COVID-19 cases are increasing in most of the country, but it’s hard to say how much. That's due to at-home tests and vaccines, which mean fewer people need to go to a doctor for a diagnoses or aid. These are good signs, but they also make it hard to track the virus, which can be stressful for people who are immunocompromised or can’t get the vaccine.

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.

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.

Humans aren’t the only mammals that can contract COVID-19 — zoo animals like large cats and apes can get it, too.

The growth in COVID-19 state caseloads has put Wyoming in the top ten most cases nationally. A big reason for this is the spike of cases in Laramie County where the vaccination rate is slightly above 30 percent. County Health Officer Dr. Stan Hartman told Bob Beck what's going on.

Wyoming has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, and that doesn't look like it will change. Wyoming Public Radio's Jeff Victor reports the high number of unvaccinated people in the state has consequences for both individuals and society.

Shots For Swags goal is for 80 percent of Teton County to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with at least the first dose by July 26. The campaign will have six weekly drawings beginning the week of June 14, and end with a grand prize drawing.

"It feels exciting because a year ago today, we didn't even have a vaccine. And now, I'm just getting closer to the second dose day by day and I won't have to live in constant fear of catching the virus or spreading it to my family."

Cases across rural America are at their lowest levels since last July. But a public health official in Montana suspects some sick people just aren't getting tested.