VALLEY CITY, N.D. (CCHD) – The following is a news release from the City County Health District (CCHD) in Valley City.
“The North Dakota Department of Health has confirmed four COVID-19 omicron variant cases in the state, two cases from central North Dakota and two cases from eastern North Dakota, according to a health advisory issued recently. Three of the four cases had been vaccinated against COVID-19 but did not have booster doses. Two cases had traveled together to another state during their incubation period, and two cases reported no travel, indicating local transmission. None of the cases were hospitalized.
Recent data collected since the emergence of the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 shows that two doses of the mRNA vaccine offer 30-40 percent vaccine effectiveness against the variant, with a booster dose providing 70-75 percent effectiveness.
Influenza activity in the United States and North Dakota also continues to increase. This week reported influenza cases in the state increased more than 150 percent to 502 cases total.
“It is vitally important that people get immunized for both COVID-19 and influenza,” said Theresa Will, City-County Health (CCHD) administrator. “Vaccine is available for all eligible age groups. Individuals ages six months and older are eligible for influenza vaccine, and COVID-19 vaccine may now be given to individuals ages 5 and older.”
Both COVID-19 and influenza are primarily respiratory illnesses that have considerable overlap of symptoms and complications. Those who are at increased risk for severe outcomes, including hospitalizations and deaths, are similar for both viruses. These populations include people who are older, have underlying health conditions or are immunocompromised.
Only half of vaccinated North Dakotans have received a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Flu vaccination coverage across the United States, including North Dakota, is significantly lower from coverage rates seen in previous years. This is especially concerning among the state’s pediatric population which has seen six percent lower rates of administered influenza vaccinations when compared to rates in 2020. To date, only 28 percent of children 18 and younger have been vaccinated against influenza in North Dakota. Less than 20 percent of children ages 5-11 and less than 40 percent of adolescents have received COVID-19 vaccine.
“There is now a recommendation for COVID-19 Pfizer boosters for 16- and 17-year-old youths six months after their initial series,” added Will.
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the two mRNA vaccines (Moderna or Pfizer) over the Janssen vaccine for individuals ages 18 and older due to the possibility of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome. However, the Janssen vaccine is still available if someone specifically wants it, according to Will.
“Ultimately, we want to keep people healthy,” reiterated Will. “Immunizations have proven to be one of the best ways to do that worldwide.”