Doctors at the University of Kansas Health System reacted positively Monday to the news that the AstraZeneca vaccine will have 79 percent protection against illness and 100 percent protection from hospitalization and deaths.
On Monday, the company issued a news release that reported the figures for its COVID-19 trials in America. AstraZeneca is expected to seek emergency use authorization in a few weeks.
The University of Kansas Medical Center participated in the clinical drug trials for the new vaccine. More than 30,000 people in the United States participated, including more than 500 through KU Medical Center.
Dr. Mario Castro, a pulmonologist who led the trials at KU Health System, said the results were “a home run.” They had heard concerns in other trials about whether it was effective in the elderly, and the results stated that patients over 65 did even better, he said.
“We think this is important news for the world,” he said. The new vaccine is easy to make, less expensive, and he has no concerns about any side effects, he added.
Some countries had recently stopped giving the vaccine because of concerns about blood clots, but an independent monitoring board found no increased risk of blood clots among the more than 20,000 persons who received the vaccine, according to the news release. The release is online at https://www.astrazeneca.com/content/astraz/media-centre/press-releases/2021/astrazeneca-us-vaccine-trial-met-primary-endpoint.html.
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“AstraZeneca is going to be the vaccine that goes to save the world,” said Dr. Barbara Pahud, research director of pediatrics infectious diseases at Children’s Mercy. “This vaccine is going to make a dent in the world.”
Dr. Castro said there are preliminary results that suggest the AstraZeneca vaccine is effective against virus variants.
Dr. Pahud said the vaccine has had a trial in South Africa, where its effectiveness with a variant was studied. It can protect people, she said.
“If you’ve been naturally infected, got COVID naturally, you are very likely to get reinfected with these variants,” she said. “The vaccine provides protection, natural does not.”
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control at KU Health System, said he would pick any approved COVID-19 vaccine. They all keep people out of the hospital and prevent death, he said. “Any one that keeps you out of the hospital is the one,” he said.
He also said he was concerned about information coming from Miami Beach showing people gathering without masks during spring break.
Dr. Castro said they are currently enrolling in the Activ2 trial to treat COVID-19 with different methods of monoclonal antibodies. Those who have had a positive COVID-19 test within the past several days may call 913-588-3851 to find out about the outpatient trial.
According to Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, the KU Health System was giving its 50,000th vaccination Monday.
At the state level Monday, Gov. Laura Kelly announced the state has given out more than 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine. More than 23 percent of Kansans have had a first dose of vaccine, she said.
She said she is launching the “Roll Up Your Sleeves” campaign to promote vaccinations here. Kansas moved into Phases 3 and 4 of its vaccine plan on Monday.
“We administered over 1 million doses and we’ll keep getting vaccines into arms so our kids can get back in the classrooms, Kansans can get back to work, and life can get back to normal,” Gov. Kelly said. “With the increased vaccine supply coming to Kansas, we are working to make sure every Kansan gets vaccinated. This vaccine campaign is designed to show every Kansas what the science has proven – that vaccines are safe and will protect all of us from COVID-19.”
The new vaccination campaign will feature ads in English and Spanish to run on broadcast, cable, digital and radio.
Gov. Kelly also stated that Kansans in Phase 3 and 4 of the vaccine plan who are eligible will not be required to bring medical records or proof of their health condition. Instead, they will be asked to abide by the honor system and self-attest that they are in Phases 3 or 4. In those phases, persons aged 16 to 64 with serious medical conditions including cancer; Down syndrome, certain heart conditions; Type 2 diabetes, other serious illnesses; and pregnant women, are eligible.
In addition, those 16 to 64 with other medical conditions are eligible, including those with asthma, cystic fibrosis, liver disease, Type 1 diabetes, neurologic conditions like dementia and other medical risks.
Also eligible are other workers in critical infrastructure who cannot work remotely, including agriculture and food workers not included in previous phases; workers performing in-person activities indoors; utility workers; social service and government workers; logistics workers, such as truck transportation workers and couriers; water and wastewater workers; shelter, housing and finance workers; and information technology and communication workers.
The state website, www.KansasVaccine.gov, has sites on a map showing where Kansas residents can get vaccines.
COVID-19 case numbers reported
The University of Kansas Health System reported nine active COVID-19 patients on Monday morning, an increase of one since Friday, according to Dr. Hawkinson. Of the nine patients, five were in the intensive care unit, an increase of two since Friday. Three patients were on a ventilator, an increase of two since Friday. There were another 18 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized but are out of the acute infection phase, an increase of three since Friday. There is a total 27 patients, an increase of four from Friday.
Wyandotte County reported an increase of 38 COVID-19 cases on Monday, March 22, since Friday, for a cumulative 17,979 cases. There was a cumulative total of 281 deaths reported, no change since Friday.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 163,274 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Monday. The daily average of new hospitalizations was 63. The number of cumulative deaths was 2,308.
The state of Kansas reported 300,125 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Monday, March 22, an increase of 615 cases since Friday. There were a total cumulative 4,850 deaths reported, an increase of eight deaths.
The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Monday night reported 29,869,514 cases in the United States, with 542,949 total deaths reported nationwide.
Vaccinations available Tuesday
Wyandotte County has started Phases 3 and 4 in the state’s vaccination plan.
People with certain underlying health conditions and other critical workers are in these phases. They may fill out the Health Department’s vaccine interest form at WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1. Appointments are needed.
Those who are ages 16 to 64 with severe medical conditions, listed in the state’s plan, are in Phase 3, and those 16 to 64 with other medical conditions are listed in Phase 4.
The list includes cancer patients, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart conditions, pregnant patients and some other categories. To view the list of the severe medical conditions in Phase 3 and other conditions in Phase 4, view the vaccine plan on the state’s website at https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/DocumentCenter/View/121/Vaccine-Prioritization-Slides-PDF.
Also in Phase 3 are “other critical workers,” according to the state plan, listed above.
Those who want to be vaccinated in Phases 3 and 4 should complete the UG Health Department’s vaccine interest form online at WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1, and they will be contacted to schedule appointments.
The Unified Government Health Department is still offering walk-in COVID-19 vaccines Monday through Friday for Wyandotte County residents who are 65 and older, and also for high-contact critical workers in Phases 1 and 2. The walk-in appointments are not for Phases 3 and 4.
Those Wyandotte County residents who are 65 or older, and critical workers in Phases 1 and 2, can walk in and do not need an appointment from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at the vaccination sites at the former Kmart store at 7836 State Ave., the former Best Buy store at 10500 Parallel Parkway and the Kansas National Guard Armory at 100 S. 20th (near 18th and Ridge).
Those in Phases 1 and 2 who walk in to get vaccines should bring an ID and something showing their Wyandotte County address, such as mail. Critical workers should bring a work badge or a document showing they work in Wyandotte County.
Those Wyandotte County residents who are younger than 65, or are not eligible yet, may fill out a form expressing interest in getting a vaccine at WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1.
For more information about vaccines at the UG Health Department, visit https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-vaccines-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/.
There are also pharmacies giving COVID-19 vaccinations in Wyandotte County by appointment, when available. These include Price Chopper and Hen House pharmacy at 76th and State Avenue, and 81st and State Avenue (see https://www.ballsfoodspharmacy.com/), and Medicine Shoppe pharmacy at 65th and Parallel by appointment when available (see https://www.facebook.com/The-Medicine-Shoppe-Kansas-City-281548241870522). CVS pharmacy also has announced that it will offer COVID-19 vaccines at one of its stores in Kansas City, Kansas. Registration is at CVS.com.
COVID-19 tests scheduled Tuesday
Free COVID-19 tests are offered from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday, March 23, at the All Saints parish, 811 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The tests are in conjunction with the Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force. Appointments are not necessary. Free groceries will be given to those who are tested at this site, while supplies last.
Unified Government Health Department COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites are scheduled to be open on Tuesday, March 23. The test site at the former Kmart building at 78th and State will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 23. Appointments are not needed for COVID-19 tests and vaccinations for those over 65 on Tuesday. There is also a UG Health Department location for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at the former Best Buy store, 10500 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. A third Health Department site, for vaccinations, is at the Kansas National Guard Armory at 100 S. 20th.
More information is at https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19. To see if there is any change to the schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.
The Health Department is offering saliva COVID-19 tests to the public. Tests from the Health Department are free for those who live or work in Wyandotte County.
The tests are open to asymptomatic people as well as those who have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. Check with the UG Health Department’s Facebook page to see if there have been any changes in the schedule. Bring something that shows that you live or work in Wyandotte County, such as a utility bill.
Other COVID-19 testing sites are planned Tuesday. To see the sites affiliated with the Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force, visit https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19.
Other testing sites, through WellHealth, are at www.gogettested.com/Kansas. The WellHealth tests need appointments. One site on this list is Lowe’s at 6920 State Ave., which will be open at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Appointments can be made at the website www.gogettested.com/Kansas.
The Health Department’s general contact page is at https://www.wycokck.org/Health/Contact.aspx. Their Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.
Testing sites are at https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19.
Saliva testing is now offered at the UG Health Department. For more information, visit https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/02042021-ugphd-saliva-testing-available.pdf.
The new school health order is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/localhealthofficerschoolorder3.11.21.pdf.
The KU doctors’ news conference is at https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/349617149714151.
The University of Kansas Health System COVID-19 update page is at https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/265130208445513.
A weekly vaccine report for the state of Kansas is at
https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/DocumentCenter/View/123/Vaccine-Historical-Document-22521?bidId=.
Wyandotte County is under a mandatory mask and social distancing order.
The UG COVID-19 webpage is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information.
The KDHE’s COVID-19 webpage is at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/.
The KC Region COVID-19 Hub dashboard is at https://marc2.org/covidhub/.
The Wyandotte County page on the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 website is at https://bao.arcgis.com/covid-19/jhu/county/20209.html.
The Johns Hopkins Data in Motion, a presentation on critical COVID-19 data in the past 24 hours, is at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/covid-19-daily-video.