Across the country, some experts have suggested that the United States may not reach herd immunity for protection with the Covid vaccine, according to national news reports.
But in Vermont, “we can do better,” said Mark Levine, state health commissioner, at a press conference Tuesday.
“They say, ‘We’ve already taken care of those who are most vulnerable, especially to severe illness, and there will be less hospitalizations and deaths. Covid will just become a disease that younger and healthier people get. And maybe that’s OK,’” Levine said. “But that’s not where I stand.”
Vermont now ranks first in the nation for its vaccination rate per 100,000 people. About two-thirds of the population age 16 and over have received at least one dose, and 45% are fully vaccinated, the health department reported. That’s 57% of Vermonters of any age who have started the vaccination process.
Estimates of the vaccination percentage necessary to hit herd immunity — which would provide broad protection against viral spread — vary widely, but appear to average about 80%. Vermont has set a goal of 60% by June 1.
Census data shows that Vermonters have higher-than-average interest in getting the vaccine. But the state has also reported slowdowns in the number of new vaccine appointments, particularly among younger age groups.
More than 80% of Vermonters over age 50 have started the vaccination process, compared to 68% nationally, said Michael Pieciak, commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation. But the 18-to-29-year-old age group is nearly the same as the national average, about 33% in both Vermont and the nation.
Many states, however, opened registration for their younger residents earlier than Vermont did. And while appointments have dropped, the state has begun walk-in clinics across college campuses that don’t need to be scheduled in advance.
At Tuesday’s press conference, state government leaders made a repeated sales pitch for more Vermonters to be vaccinated. They said efforts are on the way to make it easier to get a shot.
The state is setting up clinics at places where people congregate — fairgrounds, stock-car racetracks, workplaces and — in a joint venture with New Hampshire — at the Lancaster (N.H.) Fairgrounds, said Mike Smith, secretary of the Agency of Human Services.
In addition, Vermont expects to have more vaccine on hand than it has in the past. The Biden administration plans to move doses from states with lower demand to those with stronger interest in vaccines, according to The Associated Press.
Gov. Phil Scott, fresh off a call with other governors and White House officials, said the federal government is creating a federal vaccine pool that any state can order from, and Vermont has the potential to order up to 50% more than its typical allocation if other states don’t ask for the doses.
Levine asked Vermonters to encourage their loved ones and peers to get vaccinated, and help people to get to appointments.
“We need to appeal to Vermonters with more than talk about herd immunity, and make it real,” he said. “Vaccination means protecting vulnerable relatives, visiting with family and friends, sending kids back to school, and adults back to the workplace, and continuing to make Vermont be the safest state to live.”
Scott compared getting vaccinated to the sacrifice of his father’s generation during World War II. His father lost both legs when his tank hit a land mine.
“This truly is a moment of service,” Scott said. “Now, your state, your country, we’re asking you to step up — and this ask is much less than what many before us have been asked to do.”
Addressing younger Vermonters, Scott said, “If you’re wondering what to get your mom for Mother’s Day, which by the way is this weekend, send her a picture of you getting your shot.”
Covid cases were dropping for the past month, but ticked up slightly this week, according to the state’s weekly statistical presentation. Vermont reported 537 cases this week, compared to 503 the week before.
That’s still far below the 1,231 cases reported in the highest week in the pandemic, the data shows.
The increase this week was driven by Vermonters below age 39, Pieciak said, who have a far lower vaccination rate than people 40 and older.
Cases in the rest of the Northeast are still falling, the data shows. But a surge in northern New Hampshire has continued, and may have led to a small bump in cases for Essex County, Pieciak said.
Kids in emergency rooms
Vermont is looking into solutions to address the rise of children staying in hospital emergency rooms for extended periods while they wait to get mental health treatment, said Sarah Squirrell, the outgoing commissioner of the Department of Mental Health.
“This is not necessarily a new issue, but one that has certainly been exacerbated by the pandemic,” she said. “Having children or youth waiting for extended periods of time in emergency departments is unacceptable.”
The Agency of Human Services has presented short, mid-range and long-term solutions to the problem. Squirrell said the rise in emergency room visits is tied to broader systemic issues, as when community mental hospitals and mental health agencies lose capacity to take care of children.
Remote learning has also hurt, she said. Along with the loss of in-person school and access to school-based health care, the pandemic has affected the mental health system’s ability to hold in-person visits and take care of children in mental health programs. She said almost 50% of children covered by Medicaid connect with mental health services through their schools.
Squirrell said her department is working with the health department to change the guidance for mental health programs and to increase capacity. They are also working to provide mobile response teams.
“We are looking forward to piloting this as a demonstration site in Rutland, along with looking at other opportunities within the state,” she said.
State officials have also made proposals to the Legislature for using federal funding to help provide more effective mental health care, she said.
