vaccines

The state epidemiologist says the highly infectious disease is likely spreading in Carbon County. But a 93% uptake rate of the MMR vaccine should help control bigger outbreaks.

The Wyoming Department of Health is notifying anyone who may have been potentially exposed, including folks in the healthcare setting where the diagnosis was made. The child may have been in Converse County while infectious, but the department isn’t aware of any locations where the public may have been exposed.

Tardigrades are microscopic eight-legged animals often referred to as “water bears.” The tiny animals are known for their extreme survival skills.

The Bureau of Land Management is increasing its efforts to rein in the number of wild horses roaming the Western U.S.

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.