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Monroe County health department reports rise in COVID-like illness, new vaccine approval expected to clarify fall eligibility
Summary
The county health department reported increases in COVID-like emergency visits and wastewater concentrations; officials said the FDA approved updated COVID vaccines for higher-risk groups and that eligibility guidance should be published soon.
A Monroe County health department official briefed the Board of Commissioners on Aug. 28 that emergency department visits for COVID-like illness and local wastewater virus concentrations had increased as of Aug. 19.
The health official—identified in the meeting as Ms. Kelly—said on Aug. 27 the Food and Drug Administration had approved this season's COVID vaccines for people at higher risk and that the vaccine formulas target the BA.1 lineage of the Omicron variant. “It is still unclear at this time who will be eligible for shots this fall. Official guidelines should be published soon,” Ms. Kelly said. The department continues to offer free COVID tests and vaccines through its public health clinic; walk-in rapid tests are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and appointments or information are available at (812) 353-3244.
No new county policy or mass vaccination campaign was announced at the meeting; the health department advised residents to monitor forthcoming federal guidance for eligibility and to use the county clinic for testing and routine vaccinations.
