Data shows the number of people getting infected with COVID is lower than expected

Data shows fewer people than expected are being vaccinated against COVID and flu this season

The CDC reported that about 37 percent of adults have received their flu shot, while about 19 percent have received the updated COVID vaccine.

COVID levels are almost at their lowest level since the start of the pandemic. While hospital visits for flu and RSV are also low, health officials say they are starting to rise. Along with this recent increase is the incidence of walking pneumonia in children.

The latest data from the Ohio Department of Health, updated last week, shows about nine percent of Ohio’s population has the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
In Mahoning, just over 6.5 percent.

4.3 percent have received the new COVID vaccination in Columbiana.

In Trumbull it is 6.9 percent.

“I would say that’s as accurate as we can get at this point,” said Erin Heckman with the Trumbull County Combined Health District. “The thing is, with the vaccines, there are so many different ways to get the vaccine.” So it’s difficult to pinpoint those numbers a little more precisely.

Heckman said she, too, has seen the recent reluctance to vaccinate, particularly the COVID-19 vaccine.

As of September 2024, Trumbull County has provided approximately 175 flu and 65 COVID vaccines.

“I would say overall there is a decline compared to when the COVID vaccine first came out,” she said. “We actually have a pretty tough fight ahead of us. I feel like with the COVID vaccination, historically speaking, we’re still trying to gain a little bit of community trust.”

Dr. Dee Banks said this is a multifaceted problem and said the CDC has dropped the ball in educating and marketing the latest COVID vaccine at a time when there is already distrust and vaccine fatigue.

“A lot of people just don’t know what to do, they’re tired. There’s a lot of distrust, so I’m putting a little bit of blame on the CDC,” she said. “I’ve called several. “I’m asking my colleagues around the country what’s happening in their communities and it’s the same thing.”

Heckman said that with their new building in Cortland, centrally located in the county, they are now in a better position to distribute vaccines and encouraged people to continue taking advantage of their pop-up clinics.

The health district will host a childhood immunization clinic next Tuesday, December 10th at the district office.

In Warren, the health department is hosting a flu and COVID clinic on Wednesday, December 4th.

In Mahoning County, you will need to schedule an appointment at several locations in the area.