Lackawanna County Urges Residents to Vaccinate Amid Increased COVID Transmission and Infection; Under 25 Lag Other Age Groups – United Way Hosting Free Clinic at Co-Op Farmer’s Market on Friday, Sept. 3 from 12-4 p.m.

With a recent shift to high COVID-19 transmission, and infection risk toggling between medium and high, Lackawanna County is urging all eligible residents aged 12 and over to receive a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible to control further virus spread.

Of those currently eligible (aged ≥12 years), fully vaccinated Lackawanna County residents under age 25 considerably lag those across all other age groups. County epidemiologist Dr. Sabine Charles stated, “While it includes the last group of residents to become eligible, vaccination rates remain too low among our younger population. With most students, teachers and education support workers returning to schools this fall, we know they will be indoors for extended periods, surrounded by others with varying exposure levels, whose immediate family members may or may not be vaccinated. The very best defense is for all eligible residents to get vaccinated now, especially considering how highly contagious the Delta variant is compared with earlier strains.”

Data are clear that the available vaccines continue to play a vital role in preventing serious COVID 19 illness and hospitalizations. According to a new study from CDC’s COVID-NET, unvaccinated adults aged ≥18 years are 17 times more likely to be hospitalized compared with unvaccinated adults, with rates far higher when the Delta variant of the Coronavirus emerged as the predominant strain.

Recommendations:

• Get vaccinated as soon as possible.
• Vaccinated individuals should wear masks in public indoor spaces to reduce the spread of the Delta variant. Unvaccinated people should wear mask in all public spaces.
• Continue to wash hands often, and for at least 20 seconds.
• Keep your distance from people who do not live in your household.
• Do not let your guard down, remember that some people, even without symptoms can spread the virus.

The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is hosting a free vaccine clinic on Friday, Sept. 3 from 12-4 p.m. at the Co-Op Farmer’s Market, 900 Barring Ave., in Scranton. Delta Medix is administering first, second and third doses (for eligible immunocompromised individuals per CDC guidelines) of the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Gift cards are available for the first 100 people vaccinated. No pre-registration is required. Visit https://covid.lackawannacounty.org for a schedule of upcoming clinics or use
www.vaccinefinder.org.

Kick COVID-19 Community Corps is a collaborative between Lackawanna County, the City of Scranton, local healthcare providers, social service agencies, faith groups, cultural organizations, economic and educational institutions, and volunteers. Our mission is to stop the spread of COVID-19 through a grassroots campaign that educates, informs, and motivates the region’s most vulnerable populations to be vaccinated and encourages meaningful acts of service. Kick COVID is a member of HHS COVID-19 Community Corps.