If you live in Wyandotte County, you can soon “spin to win” a prize when you get your COVID-19 vaccination at the Unified Government Health Department.
On Wednesday, July 14, the Health Department will launch the second phase of its incentive program to encourage Wyandotte County residents to get a free COVID-19 vaccination.
Anyone age 12 or older who gets vaccinated at the Health Department’s vaccine facility at the former Kmart at 7836 State Ave. will be eligible to “spin to win” one of several instant prizes or enter a raffle to win one of two $500 Visa gift cards given away each day the vaccine site is open, from Wednesday through Friday.
“Especially now that we have more than 40 confirmed cases of COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant, it’s more important than ever that Wyandotte County residents get vaccinated against the virus,” said Nicole Garner, Health Department planning and operations manager. “The vast majority of those Delta variant COVID cases occurred in unvaccinated people. We want to find new and innovative ways to encourage Wyandotte County residents to come in now and get vaccinated and help protect our community.”
“The Delta variant of COVID-19 spreads more easily than other variants,” said Dr. Allen Greiner, chief health officer of the Unified Government Health Department. “Wyandotte County continues to lag behind other counties in the region and throughout Kansas – in fact, the majority of Wyandotte County residents have not received a COVID-19 vaccine. This puts our community at especially high risk of increased outbreaks of the Delta variant of the virus, because it spreads so easily.”
Now people ages 12 and older who get vaccinated at the Health Department vaccination facility can “spin to win” one of a variety of instant prizes or they can be entered into a raffle to win one of two $500 Visa gift cards given away each day, according to a spokesman. The “spin to win” and raffle prizes are available for Wyandotte County residents only. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate.
Instant “spin to win” prizes include: • $50 Visa gift card • $25 Visa gift card • $15 gift card to a local restaurant • Custom t-shirt
After patients have been vaccinated, they can spin a prize wheel at the vaccination facility to see which instant prize they have won. Or if they prefer, they can be entered into a raffle for one of two $500 Visa gift cards.
People who live in Wyandotte County who come in to a Health Department site for a COVID-19 test will receive a $25 Visa gift card (one gift card per person, while supplies last). People coming in to get vaccinated may get tested at the same time and receive the incentives available for both the vaccine and testing. The Health Department offers COVID-19 saliva tests (“spit tests” with no swab). Anyone age 12 and older who lives in Wyandotte County is eligible to get vaccinated and receive a gift. People of all ages who live in Wyandotte County are eligible to get tested and receive a gift. Minors should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The Health Department’s #IHelpedConquerCOVID incentive program will offer different gifts and prizes in the coming months for people who live in Wyandotte County who choose to get vaccinated or tested. There will be updates later on available give-aways on the Health Department’s Facebook and Twitter (@UGHealthDept) or at WycoVaccines.org.
The Health Department still provides vaccines and testing each week at its location at the former Kmart building, 7836 State Ave, Kansas City, Kansas. • COVID-19 vaccination hours: Wednesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. • COVID-19 testing hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Appointments are not needed.
The Armory vaccination site is now closed. In addition to the Kmart site, the Health Department’s mobile vaccine team will provide vaccinations at several upcoming community locations and events. Find out more about upcoming events on the Health Department Facebook page: facebook.com/UGHealthDept.
Mobile vaccines can still be requested online at WycoVaccines.org or by calling 3-1-1 (913-573-5311).
Mobile vaccination clinics are ongoing on Saturday, July 10, in Wyandotte County.
Free COVID-19 testing and vaccines will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 10, at St. Patrick’s gym, 1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas. They are through Vibrant Health. Appointments are not needed. Those who are vaccinated can enter a raffle for a $500 gift card, while supplies last.
Free COVIID-19 vaccinations and testing will be available from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 10, at the Swope Health West Clinic, 4835 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. A gift card will be available to those receiving a vaccination, plus free food boxes.
On Sunday, July 11, there will be COVID-19 vaccines at the Kansas City Monarchs game at noon at Legends Field, 1800 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas.
Delta variant increases in Wyandotte County
UG Health Department graphic
The UG Health Department reported 43 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant in Wyandotte County as of Thursday, July 8.
This variant spreads more easily than the original COVID-19, according to the Health Department. The Health Department recommends getting a vaccine to fight COVID-19 and the variants.
Residents should consider wearing a mask in public and get tested as needed, according to the Health Department.
Other sites available for vaccinations
Free vaccinations at KU Health System are open to the public. 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.
There are also pharmacies giving free COVID-19 vaccinations in Wyandotte County by appointment, when available. These include Price Chopper and Hen House pharmacies, which are now also accepting walk-in vaccinations or appointments, and are starting vaccinations for age 12 and up at those pharmacies that are giving Pfizer vaccine (see https://www.ballsfoodspharmacy.com/).
CVS has announced walk-in appointments for COVID-19 vaccine at some of its stores. Those interested in getting a vaccination at a CVS pharmacy are asked to visit a CVS website in order to make sure there is vaccine available. The website is at www.cvs.com/. Walgreens and Walmart also were listed on www.vaccines.gov as giving vaccinations.
Other pharmacies and sites giving vaccines are listed at www.vaccines.gov. The website also tells whether vaccines are in stock at the locations.
Case numbers reported
There were 20 active COVID-19 patients on Friday morning at the University of Kansas Health System, an increase of four from Thursday, according to Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control. Six patients were in the intensive care unit, the same as Thursday. One patient was on a ventilator.
Wyandotte County reported an increase of 29 COVID-19 cases on Friday, July 9, since Thursday, for a cumulative 19,241 cases, according to the Unified Government Health Department’s COVID-19 webpage. There was a cumulative total of 300 deaths reported, the same as Thursday.
On Wednesday, July 7, the Unified Government Health Department reported that 36.9 percent of Wyandotte County residents had received at least one dose of vaccine. Those completing their vaccinations totaled 32.03 percent. The percentage of Wyandotte County residents who were age 12 and older who had received at least one dose was 45.4 percent.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 178,744 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Friday in the Kansas City region. The daily average of new hospitalizations was 65.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported 320,437 cumulative COVID-19 cases in Kansas on Friday, July 9, an increase of 851 since July 7. There was a total of 5,176 cumulative deaths reported statewide, an increase of 10 since July 7. The KDHE reported 60,467 cumulative COVID-19 cases in Johnson County on July 9, an increase of 221 since July 7. Leavenworth County had 7,420 cases, an increase of 45 since July 7. Sedgwick County reported 58,294 cases, an increase of 99 since July 7.
The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Saturday morning reported 33,840,449 COVID-19 cases in the United States, with 607,003 total deaths reported nationwide. There were 48,241 new cases nationwide and 518 new deaths nationwide. States with high numbers of new cases were Texas, 2,304; Missouri, 2,142; California, 2,118; Alabama, 1,160; and Arkansas, 1,155. Countries with high numbers of new cases were Brazil, 57,737; U.S., 48,241; India, 42,766; Indonesia, 38,124; and United Kingdom, 35,885, according to Johns Hopkins information.
Mobile vaccines can be requested online at WycoVaccines.org or by calling 3-1-1 (913-573-5311). For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit WycoVaccines.org.
With the increased presence of the Delta variant in the region, free COVID-19 vaccine and testing clinics are being continued throughout Kansas, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Although infection rates have declined in the state, the emergency of the new variant poses a unique risk to communities across Kansas, the KDHE stated.
Kansans should stay safe by continuing to social distance and wear masks while around unvaccinated people, according to the KDHE.
These vaccine events are part of a sustained effort to mobilize Kansans to get vaccinated and for unvaccinated Kansans to get tested to stop the spread of COVID-19 in order to protect themselves and loved ones, the spokesman stated.
According to the CDC, the Delta variant is 60 percent more transmissible than the B-117 variant, which was previously the dominant strain. The new variant appears to be spreading most quickly in communities that have the lowest vaccination rates, the KDHE stated.
Clinics have been scheduled in Lawrence, Emporia, Topeka, and Hutchinson.
The Unified Government Health Department is continuing its vaccination clinics at the Kmart site at 7836 State Ave.
The vaccine clinic is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, July 9, for people who are age 12 and older. There also will be mobile clinics throughout the community.
The Health Department is continuing to offer incentives such as an opportunity to win prizes and gift cards, while supplies last, to those who get vaccinated and tested for COVID-19.
Two of the upcoming Health Department special vaccination events will be at the Kansas City Monarchs game on Sunday, July 11, and again on Tuesday, July 13. Gates will open at noon Sunday and at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Legends Field, 1800 Village West Parkway. Those who get a free vaccine will have a chance to enter a drawing for a free suite at an upcoming Monarchs game.
At the Thursday morning media update at the University of Kansas Health System, Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control, recommended avoiding travel to any areas with high rates of COVID-19 spread, especially for unvaccinated people. If you can’t avoid traveling to the areas with high rates of spread, make sure you get a vaccine, according to Dr. Hawkinson.
Wearing a mask and social distancing are still important in high-risk areas, but being outdoors provides lower risks of infection, according to Dr. Hawkinson. For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/2915861785336587..
Free COVID-19 vaccines available
The Unified Government Health Department’s central vaccine location at the former Kmart store, 7836 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, will be open to those age 12 and older from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, July 9. Walk-ins will be accepted. For more information, see WycoVaccines.org.
Hours the week of July 5: • Kmart site (7836 State Ave, Kansas City, Kansas) o Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – vaccine and testing incentives available. • Closed: Armory site (100 S. 20th St, Kansas City, Kansas
Mobile vaccines can still be requested online at WycoVaccines.org or by calling 3-1-1 (913-573-5311).
Other sites available for vaccinations
Free vaccinations at KU Health System are open to the public. 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.
There are also pharmacies giving free COVID-19 vaccinations in Wyandotte County by appointment, when available. These include Price Chopper and Hen House pharmacies, which are now also accepting walk-in vaccinations or appointments, and are starting vaccinations for age 12 and up at those pharmacies that are giving Pfizer vaccine (see https://www.ballsfoodspharmacy.com/).
CVS has announced walk-in appointments for COVID-19 vaccine at some of its stores. Those interested in getting a vaccination at a CVS pharmacy are asked to visit a CVS website in order to make sure there is vaccine available. The website is at www.cvs.com/. Walgreens and Walmart also were listed on www.vaccines.gov as giving vaccinations.
Other pharmacies and sites giving vaccines are listed at www.vaccines.gov. The website also tells whether vaccines are in stock at the locations.
Case numbers reported
There were 16 active COVID-19 patients on Thursday morning at the University of Kansas Health System, a decrease of two from Wednesday, according to Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control. Six patients were in the intensive care unit, the same as Wednesday. One patient was on a ventilator.
Wyandotte County reported an increase of 16 COVID-19 cases on Thursday, July 8, since Wednesday, for a cumulative 19,212 cases, according to the Unified Government Health Department’s COVID-19 webpage. There was a cumulative total of 300 deaths reported, the same as Wednesday.
On Wednesday, July 7, the Unified Government Health Department reported that 36.9 percent of Wyandotte County residents had received at least one dose of vaccine. Those completing their vaccinations totaled 32.03 percent. The percentage of Wyandotte County residents who were age 12 and older who had received at least one dose was 45.4 percent.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 178,597 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Thursday in the Kansas City region. The daily average of new hospitalizations was 64.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported 319,586 cumulative COVID-19 cases in Kansas on Wednesday, July 7, an increase of 1,071 since July 2. There was a total of 5,166 cumulative deaths reported statewide, an increase of seven since July 2. The KDHE reported 60,246 cumulative COVID-19 cases in Johnson County on July 7, an increase of 270 since July 2. Leavenworth County had 7,375 cases, an increase of 27 since July 2. Sedgwick County reported 58,195 cases, an increase of 103 since July 2.
The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Thursday night reported 33,790,468 COVID-19 cases in the United States, with 606,475 total deaths reported nationwide. There were 22,931 new cases nationwide and 312 new deaths nationwide. States with high numbers of new cases were Texas, 4,388; California, 2,139; Missouri, 1,659; Alabama, 1,613; and Louisiana, 1,226. Countries with high numbers of new cases were Brazil, 54,022; India, 45,892; Indonesia, 34,379; United Kingdom, 32,061; and U.S., 22,931, according to Johns Hopkins information.
Free testing available
Free COVID-19 testing is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, July 9, at the UG Health Departments central location, the former Kmart, 7836 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.
Besides Health Department sites, free COVID-19 testing is available at several locations in Wyandotte County.
