Ken McLemore

HOPE – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said the importance of COVID-19 vaccination cannot be overlooked.

“COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting you from getting sick,” according to CDC guidance, which continues to encourage people to become vaccinated. “Early data show that the vaccines may help keep people from spreading COVID-19, but we are learning more as more people get vaccinated.”

According to the CDC, a person is considered “fully vaccinated” two weeks after a second dosage of vaccines like Pfizer or Moderna, or two weeks after a single dosage of Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

A total of 1,553 vaccine doses have been administered to Hempstead County residents since January through partnership clinics between the Hope Public Schools and ExpressRx – Hope.

That effort, according to Gretchen Carlton, Bobcat Clinic director, has contributed to a countywide “fully vaccinated” rate of 11.46 percent of the Hempstead County population.

Carlton said the “fully vaccinated” data for Hempstead County is available at
https://data.democratandchronicle.com/covid-19-vaccine-tracker/arkansas/hempstead-county-ar/05057/ online.

The CDC said continuing to observe common sense steps aids the effectiveness of the mass vaccination effort nationwide.

“We know that other prevention steps help stop the spread of COVID-19, and that these steps are still important, even as vaccines are being distributed,” the CDC said. “You should still take steps to protect yourself and others in many situations, like wearing a mask, staying at least six feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.”

The Hope Public Schools will continue to require the wearing of face masks in all of its buildings and at indoor gatherings, and the observance of social distancing through the remainder of the current academic year ending May 27.