Covid-19 vaccination on the rise in Ky.; as Pfizer vaccine gets permanent approval, Rep. Guthrie immediately promotes it

Coronavirus vaccinations are accelerating in Kentucky, and when permanent federal approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was announced Monday, Second District U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie of Bowling Green immediately joined another effort to urge people to get vaccinated.

Rep. Brett Guthrie

Guthrie is the top-ranking Republican on the health subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He and other committee leaders issued a statement saying, “This approval will build more confidence and trust in the vaccines, which are safe and highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death from Covid-19.

“For anyone who hasn’t yet been vaccinated, we encourage you to talk to your doctor. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your family. It's how we beat this pandemic and restore our way of life. Life under this pandemic has been full of fear—fear of the unknown, isolation, and uncertainty. What gave us hope from the beginning was the promise of American ingenuity and innovation. The Covid-19 vaccines, made possible by President Trump’s historic partnership with the private sector, turned that hope into a reality. The vaccines are saving lives, lowering risks so we can keep our schools and businesses open, and giving people the courage to dream again.”

Guthrie's district lags the rest of Kentucky in vaccination for the disease. When the federal government recommended a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine for vulnerable people on Aug. 13, he issued a press release promoting vaccination for everyone. Since then, the percentage of his constituents who have received at least one dose of vaccine has gone up about 1 percentage point, the same as statewide. Edmonson County had a remarkable increase, from 32% on Aug. 15 to 38% on Aug. 23; the county's small population and possible reporting anomalies could have figured in that.

The state's daily vaccination numbers have generally increased over the last two weeks. The seven-day average through Sunday was 13,852 per day, 39% higher than the 9,961 average for the seven days ended Aug, 8. On Saturday, Aug 21, the state reported administration of 28,696 doses, the highest one-day figure in more than two months.

Chart by The Washington Post, adapted by Kentucky Health News; for a larger version, click on it.