Recent data ‘good news’ as hospitalizations for seniors decrease in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
New research shows that COVID-19 hospitalization rates for Missourians ages 60 or older have decreased since the peak in December 2020, while rates of hospitalization for adults ages 59 or younger have increased.
Dave Dillion with the Missouri Hospital Association said older populations have been targeted to receive the vaccine since the rollout began.
"Older Missourians were in the early tiers of vaccination so the number of individuals vaccinated is higher, we are seeing the benefits of vaccinations occurring to them," Dillion said.
According to MHA, between Dec. 14, 2020, and March 28, 2021, people 60 and older received an average of 87.2 doses of the coronavirus vaccine per 100 residents, and the daily hospitalization rate fell by 15.3%.
At the same time younger Missourians received just under 28 of the state’s doses per 100 residents, and hospitalizations increased by 32.1%.
"Younger people may be more inclined to skip the vaccination, and are more apt to engage in behaviors, including spring break parties, all of these we are concerned about as they become a large share of those hospitalized," Dillion said.
Robin Blount with Boone Health said it only had one COVID-19 positive patient hospitalized as of Wednesday.
"This is the lowest hospitalization we've had since last March, so that's all good news," she said.
Blount also said since the general population has not had access to the vaccine yet, younger Missourians are the ones who could be seeing more severe effects from the virus.
"That was the goal of the vaccine to reduce the effect, and as of earlier this week the CDC indicated in real-world scenarios the vaccine is about 90% effective," Dillion said.
Minimal effects mean older vaccinated populations won't see significant impacts from the virus.
"What it will do is reduce the chance you have a dire version of the illness and need the type of care we saw early on in the pandemic, to be in intensive care and on a ventilator " Dillion said.
All Missourians will be eligible for the vaccine on April 9th.
