Federal health agencies have called for a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine effective Tuesday, April 13 to investigate rare reports of blood clots occurring within approximately two weeks of vaccination. Six cases of serious blood clots have been reported among the 6.8 million people who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, so it is a rare occurrence but still warrants further study. The investigation will analyze whether these events have occurred at a rate higher than would be expected in the general population who did not receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine effectively protects against COVID-19, a virus that has resulted in the deaths of over 500,000 people in the USA alone. Allegany County Health Department has canceled vaccination clinics that were scheduled to administer Johnson & Johnson vaccines until further guidance is received. All clinics scheduled to administer Moderna or Pfizer vaccines will proceed as planned. People who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.
The Allegany County Health Department reports that 20,172 Allegany County residents have received their first dose of a two-dose vaccine against COVID-19 (28.6% of the population), with 13,001 of those individuals now fully vaccinated with their second dose (18.5 % of the population). Additionally, 2,093 Allegany County residents have received the single dose Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine (3.0%).
By comparison, the state reported that 35.5% of all Marylanders had received their first dose of a two-dose vaccine, with 21.3% having had both doses and an additional 2.9% vaccinated with the single dose vaccine.
Allegany County COVID-19 Case Statistics as of April 13:
• New COVID Cases: 16 (cumulative total 6,652)
• Additional Deaths: 0 (cumulative total 205)
• Cases Per 100,000 Population: 12.98 (Maryland: 23.22)
• Positivity Rate: 3.24% (Maryland: 5.69%)
In order to continue to facilitate vaccination efforts in Allegany County and to better serve the community, UPMC Western Maryland is pleased to once again hold registration for its upcoming COVID-19 vaccination clinic to be held Friday, April 16 in the hospital auditorium.
All Individuals who live in or work in Allegany County age 18 and older are now eligible to receive the vaccine.
The April 16 clinic will administer the first dose of the Moderna vaccine, an immunization only given to individuals age 18 or older. Those interested in reserving a spot must register online. Slots will be offered to callers on a first-come, first-served basis. Clinic registration is also available at https://www.marylandvax.org/reg/0012844969 .
Individuals who are successfully scheduled to get the vaccine should enter the hospital through the entrance adjacent to the parking garage where they will be screened and then directed to registration where they will be required to show their driver’s license or another valid form of identification.
UPMC Western Maryland recognizes the importance of safely distributing the COVID-19 vaccine to its community members, and is pleased to be able to offer this additional option along with the other opportunities now available in Allegany County. Multiple additional clinics will be scheduled in the coming weeks with details to be announced soon.
The Salvation Army in Cumberland is excited to partner with the Boys & Girls Club of America and the Maryland National Guard to offer a free vaccination clinic on Monday, April 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or until supplies run out. They can serve up to 100 people.
The Hardy County Health Department and Hardy County Office of Emergency Management has two additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Hardy County, making 28 active cases, with a total confirmed case count of 1,480. We have had 22 confirmed COVID-19 deaths. We currently have 26 patients in quarantine at home, following proper protocol to protect their neighbors and community. Two patients are currently hospitalized due to severe symptoms of COVID-19. Due to privacy, additional information regarding the persons, area of residence, and travel history will not be disclosed. The Hardy County Health Department has completed the necessary contact tracing to ensure the safety of close contacts and to prevent additional transmission. Hardy County now has 1,430 individuals recovered, included in the total confirmed case count of 1,480.
Hardy County Health Department will be giving Moderna COVID-19 vaccines BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Thursday, April 15th from 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm.
Vaccines are available to any resident of the State of WV, who is 18 years of age or older. Call Hardy County Health Department to schedule your appointment; 304-530-6355.
