Month: September 2021

UG Health Department announces information about booster doses

The Unified Government Public Health Department has provided additional information on who is eligible for booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and where to get those additional doses in Wyandotte County.

This announcement follows information released late Wednesday announcing that the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for certain groups of people. The complete statement from the FDA can be found at https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-booster-dose-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-certain-populations.

It also follows the recommendation of Dr. Rachel Walensky, CDC director, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

“We have been anticipating this announcement from the FDA, CDC, and KDHE for several days, so we are ready to begin offering these booster shots to anyone who qualifies, as of today,” said Juliann Van Liew, director of the UG Health Department. “The Pfizer booster shots will be available at our vaccination facility at the former Kmart site, plus at a variety of other places throughout Wyandotte County. We urge anyone who is eligible to get their booster shot, both for their own health and wellbeing and to better help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Wyandotte County.”

On Wednesday, the FDA amended the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, making it possible for select members of the public to receive a single booster dose. This booster dose must be administered at least six months after completion of the primary vaccination series and is available only to people who have been previously vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and who fall within the recommended groups. The recommendation does not allow for providing a booster dose of Pfizer for anyone who has been previously vaccinated with Moderna or Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met on Thursday to discuss and vote on its recommendations concerning booster shots and who should get them. According to the CDC, the organization’s updated interim guidance “allows for millions of Americans who are at highest risk for COvID-19 to receive a Pfizer-BioNTech COvID-19 booster shot to help increase their protection.”

The CDC recommends the following:
• people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
• people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
• people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
• people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

Underlying medical conditions can include (but aren’t limited to) conditions such as cancer, chronic lung or kidney disease, dementia, diabetes, Down syndrome, heart conditions, HIV infection, liver disease, obesity, pregnancy and others. View the complete list of what the CDC defines as “underlying medical conditions.” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html.

According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), these “occupational or institutional” settings include health care workers, teachers, grocery store workers, retail workers, first responders, residents and staff of congregant settings (such as corrections facilities, homeless shelters, group homes, etc.) and many others.

Where to get a booster shot in Wyandotte County

People who live in Wyandotte County and fall into one of the categories outlined in the CDC recommendations can now come to the Health Department’s vaccination facility to get their booster shot for free. No insurance is required.

Van Liew outlined what eligible people need to know before arriving to receive their booster dose:

• The Health Department encourages patients to bring their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to help expedite the process.
• Patients will be asked to sign a form attesting that they qualify for this booster dose because they fall into one of the categories of the public outlined in the updated CDC guidance, as listed above.

Free COVID-19 vaccinations are available at the former Kmart building at 7836 State Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

Van Liew also pointed out that these booster doses are available at a wide variety of other locations throughout Wyandotte County, including many pharmacies, medical practitioners and other healthcare providers. To learn more about where booster doses are available near them, people should visit vaccines.gov.

Free vaccinations and incentives still available

In addition to these booster doses, the Health Department continues to offer free COVID-19 vaccines for people who live in Wyandotte County age 12 and older, at the former Kmart site at 7836 State Ave. All of the services are free. Hours for COVID-19 vaccinations and testing:

• COVID testing: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• COVID vaccines: Wednesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Incentives for those who get their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the Kmart facility are still available, through Sept. 30. Get more information on available vaccine incentives at WycoVaccines.org.

For more information on where to get vaccinated in Wyandotte County, visit WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1. To learn more about upcoming Health Department mobile vaccination events visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/UGHealthDept.

Vaccines, tests available

COVID-19 testing and vaccines will be available from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27, at the Cross-Lines Community Outreach, 726 Shawnee Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The testing and vaccines are free. No appointment is needed. Those getting a test may receive a $25 gift card and those receiving a vaccine may get a $25 gift card provided by the Unified Government Health Department. Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines will be provided. Third doses of Pfizer vaccines are available for moderately and severely immunocompromised.

COVID-19 vaccines and testing are available from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27, at the Vibrant Health Cordell D. Meeks Jr. Clinic, 4313 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. No appointment is necessary.

The former Kmart building at 7836 State Ave., a Unified Government Health Department vaccination site, will be open for testing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and for free COVID-19 vaccinations from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Walk-ins are accepted. There are incentives being offered for Wyandotte County residents, while supplies last. See WycoVaccines.org.

COVID-19 testing from WellHealth will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27, at the Kansas National Guard Armory, 100 S. 20th. Appointments are necessary. The site is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To make an appointment, including a same-day appointment, visit https://www.gogettested.com/kansas.

Mobile vaccines can be requested online at WycoVaccines.org or by calling 3-1-1 (913-573-5311). For more information on the Unified Government Health Department’s vaccine schedule, see WycoVaccines.org.

COVID-19 vaccines and tests are available at other locations in Wyandotte County, including some pharmacies. For locations and availability, visit www.vaccines.gov.

Free vaccinations at KU Health System are open to the public, and appointments are required. Current patients may use MyChart to make an appointment. Others may call 913-588-1227 or visit kansashealthsystem.com/vaccine to make an appointment to get vaccinated. KU Health System currently is vaccinating residents of Kansas and Missouri who are 12 or older, by appointment only. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the appointment.

Case numbers reported

The University of Kansas Health System reported 70 total COVID-19 patients on Friday, Sept. 24, a decrease of two from Thursday, according to Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control. Thirty-two patients with the active virus were inpatients on Friday, a decrease of three from Thursday. Eleven patients were in the intensive care unit, a decrease of two since Thursday. None of the patients in the ICU was vaccinated. Nine patients were on ventilators on Friday, no change from Thursday. Thirty-eight other patients were still hospitalized from COVID, but were out of the acute infection phase, an increase of one from Thursday.

Wyandotte County reported a cumulative 23,788 cases on Friday, Sept. 24, an increase of 65 cases since Thursday, Sept. 23, according to the Unified Government Health Department’s COVID-19 webpage. There were a cumulative total of 361 deaths on Friday, no change since Thursday.

On Wednesday, Sept. 22, the Unified Government Health Department reported that 48.34 percent of Wyandotte County residents had received at least one dose of vaccine. Those completing their vaccinations totaled about 41.46 percent.
The percentage of Wyandotte County residents who were age 12 and older who had received at least one dose was 59.5 percent.

The Mid-America Regional Council reported 213,612 cases on Sunday in Greater Kansas City, a nine-county area. There were a total of 2,892 deaths. The daily average of new hospitalizations was 112.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported 404,459 cumulative COVID-19 cases in Kansas on Friday, Sept. 24, an increase of 2,528 since Wednesday, Sept. 22. There was a total of 5,981 cumulative deaths reported statewide, an increase of 62 since Sept. 22.

The KDHE reported 74,174 cumulative COVID-19 cases in Johnson County on Sept. 24, an increase of 305 since Sept. 22. Leavenworth County had 9,863 cases on Sept. 24, an increase of 58 since Sept. 22. Sedgwick County (the Wichita area) reported 75,199 cases on Sept. 24, an increase of 686 since Sept. 22.

On Sunday night, there were a cumulative 42,931,259 COVID-19 cases in the United States, with a cumulative 688,032 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

Links

Visit gogettested.com/Kansas and https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19 for more testing sites.

Wyandotte County residents may contact the Health Department at wycohelp.org to sign up for a test to be delivered to their home.
For more details about free COVID-19 testing offered by the UG Health Department, visit https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept or call 3-1-1.

To view details about the extension of the mask order in KCK until Nov. 18, visit
https://www.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/ug_extendsmaskmandate_nr_09102021.pdf.

KC NWSL on the road today against Washington

Kansas City NWSL travels to Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia, at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, to face the Washington Spirit after a three-week break.

This is only the second match against Washington this season, with the Spirit prevailing on June 26 at Legends Field in the first, 2-1.

Kansas City’s last match was Sept. 5 at home versus the North Carolina Courage, ahead in the statistical categories of shots, shots on goal, and possession. However, neither team was able to find the back of the net with the match resulting in a 0-0 draw.

Washington has been idle since Aug. 29, when it played the North Carolina Courage to a 0-0 draw. Since then, the Spirit forfeited two matches against the Portland Thorns and OL Reign due to COVID-related issues. Both matches are counted as losses for the Spirit.

Four international players called up

During the break, four Kansas City NWSL players were called up internationally. Jéssica Silva (Portugal), Chloe Logarzo (Australia), Rachel Corsie (Scotland), and Mariana Larroquette (Argentina) were each selected to represent their countries.

Silva scored a goal and an assist in the two matches, but Portugal was unable to come away with the result in either match. Corsie captained a dominant backline to one goal allowed in two wins against Hungary and the Faroe Islands. Larroquette scored a goal in her match against Brazil, but Argentina was unable to come home with a victory in its match against Brazil. Logarzo started and played 53 minutes before being subbed off for Australia, helping control the midfield on both ends and finding through balls to her forwards.

Franch stays in the states

Kansas City NWSL goalkeeper Adrianna Franch was selected to the roster for the U.S. Women’s National Team in a pair of matches against Paraguay. She was named the starting goalkeeper for the United States Women’s National Team in the first match and recorded her second career clean sheet for the national team as she was key in directing the defense to only allow one shot in a 9-0 victory.

Players to watch

Kansas City: Defender Kristen Edmonds – Edmonds has been a vital piece to the Kansas City defense this season. Edmonds has played nearly every position on the field this season. Although she has not suited up at goalkeeper, Edmonds has been nominated for the NWSL Save of the Week following her block off the line against the Courage at home on July 23. While fellow teammate Rachel Corsie was out due to injury, Edmonds filled in at center back and captain. She has played and started in 16 games for 1,316 minutes while adding 10 shots, with four on goal.

Washington Spirit: Forward Ashley Hatch – Hatch has been a dominant goal-scorer for the Spirit as she has seven tallies on the season, tied for third in the NWSL. Hatch has played in 15 games (13 starts) for a total of 1,124 minutes on the season.

Aly Trost and Dave Borchardt will broadcast the Sept. 26 game locally on KSMO-TV. Nationally the game will be streamed live on Paramount+.

  • Story from KC NWSL

Sporting, Seattle to battle for first place today in KCK

A Western Conference showdown between title contenders beckons Sunday as first-place Sporting Kansas City (13-5-7, 46 points) welcomes second-place Seattle Sounders FC (13-5-6, 45 points) at 6 p.m. in Kansas City, Kansas.

Tickets for the biggest MLS regular season match at Children’s Mercy Park so far this season are available at SeatGeek.com.

Sunday’s contest will be shown live nationally on FS1 and FOX Deportes while streaming on the FOX Sports app and FOXSports.com. Listeners can follow the action locally on ESPN 94.5 FM (English) and La Grande 1340 AM (Spanish) and nationally on SiriusXM FC.

The high-stakes encounter will coincide with Sporting’s annual Kick Childhood Cancer Night, featuring an Honoree Homecoming with a VIP experience for previous Victory Project Honorees and their families. In a fundraising effort tied to the game, up to $5,000 will be donated to Children’s Mercy Hospital through $250 donations for each Sporting Kansas City shot attempt. On the stadium concourse, ticket holders will have an opportunity to shop from a variety of Kick Childhood Cancer merchandise at SportingStyle locations, including a limited-edition training top and scarf. To further support Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Sporting is raising funds for The Victory Project throughout September via the weekly Argyle Ace raffle and an online auction that launched last week.

The top of the Western Conference table underscores the magnitude of Sunday’s clash. Sporting sits a point ahead of Seattle at the summit, having played one game more than its Pacific Northwest counterparts.

A win for either side this weekend could go a long way in deciding which team claims the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the MLS Cup Playoffs later this fall.

Beyond the context of the 2021 campaign, Sporting and Seattle have earned the right to call themselves two of the best MLS clubs over the last 10 seasons.

Each team boasts four major cup titles since 2011 and the sides have combined for 19 of a possible 20 playoff appearances during that time.

Under the guidance of 13th-year manager Peter Vermes, Sporting hoisted the 2013 MLS Cup as well as Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles in 2012, 2015 and 2017. Seattle, led by sixth-year head coach Brian Schmetzer, has lifted two of each — Open Cups in 2011 and 2014 and MLS Cups in 2016 and 2019.

Winners of two straight matches, Sporting is seeking its third finish atop the West in the last four seasons. Captain Johnny Russell has caught fire in recent weeks, scoring in each of his last three home appearances at Children’s Mercy Park to become just the second MLS player since the start of 2018 to record 30 goals and 30 assists in the regular season.

Russell was one of four goal scorers in a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Minnesota United FC on Sept. 15, with MLS All-Star winger Daniel Salloi, forward Khiry Shelton and 20-year-old Sporting KC Academy product Cam Duke also finding the back of the net. Salloi has enjoyed a sensational 2021 campaign with 13 goals and six assists, ranking third in the MLS Golden Boot race and tied for fourth with 19 total goal contributions.

The Sounders have played twice since Sporting last took the field over a week ago, falling 1-0 at Real Salt Lake last Saturday before suffering a 3-2 loss to LIGA MX heavyweights Club Leon in the Leagues Cup Final on Wednesday in Las Vegas. Cristian Roldan and Nicolas Benezet scored Seattle goals that bookended three unanswered strikes from Leon, who eliminated Sporting from the competition at the quarterfinal stage on Aug. 10.

Despite sustaining back-to-back defeats, Seattle appears firmly in the mix to contend for a fifth Western Conference title and MLS Cup appearance since 2016.

Prolific forward Raul Ruidiaz is second in MLS with 14 goals and was one of six Seattle players to receive MLS All-Star recognition this summer alongside brothers Cristian and Alex Roldan, midfield playmaker Joao Paulo and defenders Yeimar Gomez Andrade and Nouhou Tolo. Goalkeeper Stefan Frei notably returned to action on Sept. 11 after a long stint out through injury, further bolstering a defense that wields a league-low 0.83 goals against average. The Sounders have been particularly successful away from home, as its 7-2-2 road record is the best in MLS.

Like Seattle, Sporting features a stout backline and a veteran goalkeeper.

Tim Melia has tabbed consecutive clean sheets and places second in MLS with a 0.95 goals against average, tying a league record by winning 10 games for the seventh successive regular season. The 35-year-old is shielded by a strong stable of defenders who have performed consistently well throughout the year.

Center back Andreu Fontas leads the league in goals added, an advanced analytic measuring a player’s on-ball contribution to both attack and defense, while fellow Spaniard Ilie Sanchez has shown positional versatility by dropping from his patented defensive midfield role into central defense. Left back Luis Martins is the only Sporting player who has appeared in all 25 regular season matches this year.

Sporting won the most recent meeting between the clubs in convincing fashion, posting a 3-1 road win over Seattle on July 25 with a free kick from Russell, a strike from Salloi on the counterattack and a first career MLS goal from Duke. The result typified a recent trend in the series: Vermes’ men have gone 7-2-3 in the last 12 regular season games against Seattle since 2015, including a 4-0-2 record in the last six matches at Children’s Mercy Park.

Sporting has won three straight meetings overall, including a pair of 3-2 victories during the 2019 regular season. The last five games between the clubs have produced 22 goals, a lofty clip of 4.4 goals per match.

  • Story from Sporting KC