MOBERLY − The Randolph County Health Department hosted its first respiratory syncytial virus (RVS) vaccine drive-thru clinic on Monday for adults 60 years and older.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the RVS vaccine in June due to the alarming increase of respiratory illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There’s an estimated 60,000 to 160,000 hospitalizations and 6,000 to 10,000 deaths annually due to RSV, according to the CDC.
The Randolph County Health Department hosted its first drive-thru clinic for the RVS vaccine for older adults on Monday, Oct. 30.
Sharon Whisemand, administrator for the Randolph County Health Department, explains how important the vaccine is during the fall and winter seasons.
“With all those viruses that are going to start spreading, we just want to help keep people healthy and safe,” Whisemand said.
The health department vaccinated about 70 people Monday, leaving them with a limited supply of vaccines to give to individuals who couldn’t attend.
“Respiratory illnesses kill over about 100,000 people every year, so anything you can do to help prevent those illnesses or help recover from them we definitely encourage those vaccines,” Whisemand said.
Registration to receive the vaccine will be posted on the Randolph County Health Department’s Facebook page or call 660-263-6643.