Virginia health workers brace for renewed interest in coronavirus vaccines

About 4% of Virginians, or 334,000 people, have received a third COVID-19 vaccine dose so far, state data shows.

Time will tell whether boosters will help stem the pandemic and prevent more vaccinated people from contributing to the virus’ spread. Millions more people across the country are allowed to get an additional shot, based on federal decisions made Thursday.

All three brands available in the United States now have booster recommendations.

Children between 5 and 11 also may soon be eligible for mini-Pfizer doses. Food and Drug Administration advisers are expected to debate the issue this week.

Major expansions in the vaccine rollout come as public health experts anticipate a more severe holiday surge. COVID-19, coupled with a harsh flu season, could create more strain on hospitals than last winter.

Some 45.3 million infections have been reported throughout the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University, and 733,000 Americans have died. About 242.7 million people have had confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide, with 4.9 million deaths.

Confirmed cases have risen to at least 681,000 in Virginia, with 13,668 suspected deaths. Among those cases, 131,300 were children, 952 of whom were hospitalized. Ten died, according to new pediatric data published by the state.

Statewide vaccine immunity levels remained flat over the past week, according to the health department. About 5.3 million Virginians are fully vaccinated, making up a 62% share of residents.

Specific groups that received the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago already are able to get a booster. Now some recipients of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson may also get one.

People are encouraged to get a Pfizer or Moderna booster if they are six months past their second dose and are 65 or older; nursing home residents; or at least 50 with high-risk health factors. Boosters are also allowed in adults with underlying medical conditions or jobs that put them at increased risk of exposure.

Pfizer’s booster is exactly the same vaccine as the previous two. So is Moderna’s, but it comes at half the dose.

For recipients of the single-dose J&J vaccine, federal regulators recommend a booster at least two months after their vaccination. As for mixing and matching, drug officials didn’t recommend switching brands but are giving people that option.

The state health department “urges you to consult with your doctor or health-care provider who can assist you in making the best decision for your own situation,” Dr. Danny Avula, state vaccine coordinator, said in a statement Friday. “We also stress that all three vaccines authorized for administration in the United States are highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and death.”

To assist with the booster rollout, the former Macy’s vaccination site at Military Circle mall, 880 N. Military Hwy., will offer appointments from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. The clinic also offers free COVID-19 testing every Monday.

Infectious disease modelers at the University of Virginia’s Biocomplexity Institute believe expanding vaccines to young unvaccinated Virginians could be more effective at reducing caseloads than boosters, according to a new analysis. In one studied scenario, combining both strategies would have an even greater impact, potentially preventing 45,000 cases in the state by May.

With 2.7 million Virginians still completely unvaccinated, experts say there’s enough opportunity for more surges. The current estimated statewide immunity is 65%, according to the university scientists. That rate includes natural immunity from prior infections, vaccinations and considers waning immunity in the time since vaccination or infection.

Unvaccinated people have made up the vast majority of the state’s serious illnesses. Though breakthrough cases are happening more often, they are still considered uncommon. There have been 43,006 cases statewide, with 491 ending in death.

The number of Virginians hospitalized for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 had dropped to 1,266 as of Friday, a 14% decrease from the week prior. More than one in four were in an intensive care unit, according to the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association. Of those critical patients, 68% were on ventilators.

Statewide, 6.5% of standard nasal swab tests came back positive last week, and close to 1,700 new cases are being diagnosed each day — about 500 fewer than were reported daily a week ago.

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In Hampton Roads, 58 deaths were reported last week: 16 in Virginia Beach; nine in Norfolk; seven in Suffolk; five in Portsmouth; four in Chesapeake; three each in Newport News, Gloucester County and James City County; two in Isle of Wight County; and one each in Franklin and Hampton, and Accomack, Mathews, Middlesex and York counties.

There were about 2,000 new infections reported throughout the region last week. Virginia Beach’s caseload continues to be the highest, with 394 new reports.

Large caseloads are expected in bigger cities, but some communities with fewer people see greater rates of new cases per capita. For last week, Accomack County ranked the highest in the region based on population size, at 30 per 100,000 people. It was more than double the rates seen in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, with 13 and 14 per 100,000, respectively.

Here’s a look at vaccination rates throughout the region. These figures do not include the 620,000 doses administered to Virginians by the federal government, such as military, because location information has not been provided for them:

In Virginia Beach, 70% of adults and 59% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 53% of all residents are fully inoculated.
In Norfolk, 55% of adults and 47% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 41% of all residents are fully inoculated.
In Newport News, 66% of adults and 54% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 48% of all residents are fully inoculated.
In Chesapeake, 68% of adults and 57% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 51% of all residents are fully inoculated.
In Portsmouth, 61% of adults and 50% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 44% of all residents are fully inoculated.
In Hampton, 65% of adults and 55% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 48% of all residents are fully inoculated.
In James City County, 81% of adults and 69% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 62% of all residents are fully inoculated.
In Poquoson, 77% of adults and 65% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 59% of all residents are fully inoculated.
In York County, 72% of adults and 60% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 55% of all residents are fully inoculated.
In Suffolk, 68% of adults and 57% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 50% of all residents are fully inoculated.
In Williamsburg, 58% of adults and 53% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 48% of all residents are fully inoculated.

For other pandemic data, go to www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus.

For more information on where to find vaccines, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or www.vaccines.gov. For phone assistance, call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA.

Elisha Sauers, 757-839-4754, elisha.sauers@pilotonline.com