State Health Department texting those who didn’t get second vaccine doses
The state Department of Health has launched a text messaging campaign to remind the partially vaccinated against COVID-19 to get the required second dose.
There are about 250,000 Pennsylvanians who never went for their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, said Alison Beam, the state’s acting health secretary.
“Now is the time to be vaccinated,” Beam said, reminding the public that the Delta variant of the virus is spreading across the nation, mostly among the unvaccinated.
She said Pennsylvania is making progress in the vaccination effort, with 20,478 doses administered in the state as of July 28.
Acting Physician General Denise Johnson said the vaccine deniers need to be better educated about the safety of the shots and protection they offer.
When asked about claims that herd immunity has been reached because of the number of people who have recovered from the disease, Johnson said that belief is not true. She said some people who have recovered from the virus have no protection against COVID-19.
Beam said 99% of COVID-19 deaths in the state involved those who were not vaccinated. In Pennsylvania, 52% of the population is fully vaccinated, she said.
The number of new statewide virus cases continue to rise, according to reports. as of August 2, Greene County’s case total was 3,385, Fayette County’s was 13,501 and Washington County’s case total was 18,113.