A Vaxxing In Disguise — A Missouri Trend To Dodge Social Criticism

Newsweek: People Are Reportedly Getting Vaccinated In Disguise To Avoid Judgment
For fear of social ostracism, some people in Missouri who want to be vaccinated against COVID-19 are showing up to doctor's appointments in disguise, internist Priscilla Frase, MD, the chief medical information officer for Ozarks Healthcare, said in a clip shared on the hospital's Facebook page on July 18. The clip has around 1,800 views. As of this writing, Missouri has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the entire nation. Only 41 percent of the Midwestern state's population is fully vaccinated, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services [MDHSS]. Of those 2,513,969 individuals, more are female than male, multiracial than monoracial, and older than younger, MDHSS data showed. (Tien, 7/28)

Bloomberg: New Vaccinations Are Rebounding In The U.S.’s Covid Hot Spots
Some of the most vaccine-resistant parts of the U.S. are now leading the country in the number of people getting a first dose of vaccine, a Bloomberg analysis shows, as surging infections and rising hospitalizations push formerly reluctant Americans to protect themselves. The increase in vaccinations is concentrated in the Southern and Central parts of the U.S., with the highest daily rate of shots happening in places like Louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri — states that have had some of the lowest rates of vaccination in the eight months since vaccines became available. (Armstrong, 7/28)

Houston Chronicle: Texas, Houston Methodist See Rush For Vaccines, As COVID's Fourth Wave Approaches
On Friday, Texas reported its highest single-day number of vaccines administered in more than a month, with 71,000 doses doled out. While that’s down considerably from the more than 300,000 doses administered daily this April, it represents roughly a 25 percent increase over the average daily vaccination rate logged over the past month, according to a Chronicle analysis of state health data. Houston Methodist Hospital said they’ve seen a similar, new wave of vaccine appointments this week, with more 1,000 doses administered at their clinics on Monday. That was highest number of first doses administered at the hospital system since the beginning of June, shortly after vaccine eligibility was opened to all Texans over the age of 12. (Gill and Downen, 7/28)

In news about vaccine incentives —

The Washington Post: Baton Rouge Judge Offers COVID-19 Vaccines Instead Of Community Service 
In East Baton Rouge, some people appearing before Judge Fred Crifasi, of the 19th Judicial District Court, are being afforded the opportunity to get vaccinated in lieu of certain community service hours. The judge began offering the alternative earlier this week, amid a surge in case numbers in Louisiana. In that time, roughly 19,000 cases have been reported in the state. Louisiana is among states with the highest daily reported cases per capita in the nation, according to date from The Washington Post. (Hauptman, 7/28)

The Advocate: A Louisiana Hospital Paid People Cash To Get COVID Vaccines. Appointments Filled Up Fast
Louisiana’s governor dangled lottery tickets. State and local officials tried going door-to-door. Some ran online campaigns aimed at funneling residents towards information from medical experts, hoping to counter speculation and fear over COVID-19 vaccinations that brewed on social media. None of it seemed to work in Tangipahoa Parish. Vaccinations stagnated even as the more-contagious delta variant spread and cases and hospitalizations soared. So Hammond's North Oaks Hospital tried something new: Giving people cash to get vaccinated. Funded by donations from local businesses and government agencies, the hospital is offering $100 cash payments to those who sign up for the two-shot Pfizer vaccination — $50 after their first shot, with another $50 when they return for the second. (Finn, 7/29)

AP: Governor Announces 50 New Winners In Vaccination Sweepstakes
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice surprised a retired health care worker with a $1 million check as the most recent winner of the state’s vaccination sweepstakes. Wanda Coleman of Ronceverte got together Wednesday with former coworkers at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, believing it was a ceremony to honor a recently retired staff member. ... It was one of 50 prizes announced Wednesday, the governor’s office said. (7/29)

Houston Chronicle: As COVID Hospitalizations Surge Past 5,000, Gov. Abbott Renews Call For 'Personal Responsibility'
With COVID-19 hospitalizations soaring past 5,000 statewide for the first time in nearly five months, state officials are stepping up vaccination outreach programs and promotional campaigns but Gov. Greg Abbott insists that the state won’t impose any new mandates on Texans. State officials announced Wednesday that Texas has 5,292 people hospitalized with lab-confirmed COVID-19 — the highest number since March 2, the day Abbott announced he was ending all state mask mandates and restrictions on businesses. At that time, Abbott called for “personal diligence” and said statewide mandates are no longer needed. (Wallace, 7/28)

In other news on the vaccine rollout —

AP: Two More Health Systems Mandate Employee Virus Vaccinations
Two of Michigan’s largest health systems will require all employees and physicians at their hospitals and other facilities to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Spectrum Health, a 14-hospital network, and eight-hospital Beaumont Health announced the mandates Wednesday. At least five major hospital systems in the state have announced such requirements. (Eggert and Williams, 7/29)

Health News Florida: State University Presidents Urge Students To Get Vaccine Before Returning To Campus 
The presidents of Florida’s 14 state universities wrote an open letter Tuesday urging students to be vaccinated before returning to campus. The letter was written on the same day the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed its earlier guidance and is no encouraging indoor masking for fully vaccinated people. “We strongly recommend that all students get vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus before arriving on campus,” states the letter, which was signed by the presidents of each university. (Lisciandrello, 7/28)

Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Lawmakers Claimed Federal Law Blocks Vaccine Incentives. Here's Why They're Wrong
Tennessee lawmakers last week cited a specific federal statute to claim it is illegal for teachers or other school officials to encourage COVID-19 vaccination by creating vaccine policies for students. They were wrong. Legal experts who analyzed the lawmakers' statements found numerous inaccuracies with their interpretation of federal law. The claims came as the state health department is embroiled in a back and forth over childhood vaccinations, including inoculations against COVID-19. Tennessee Department of Health fired its top vaccine official earlier this month. (Timms, 7/28)

Fox News: Parents Split On COVID-19 Vaccine For Young Kids, Poll Finds
Over half of parents surveyed in a national poll said it was unlikely their child would receive a COVID-19 vaccine should the shots see expanded authorization in younger age groups. Findings released Monday from the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health drew from a nationally representative sample of 2,019 parents of kids aged 3 to 18. "Among parents of children 3-11 years, 49% say it is likely their child will get a COVID vaccine once it is approved for their age group, while 51% say it is unlikely," the report reads. Meanwhile, 40% of parents of children aged 12-18 said it’s unlikely their child will get a COVID-19 vaccine. (Rivas, 7/27)

Also —

Fox News: California Restaurant Says It Will Serve Only Unvaccinated Customers
Not vaccinated? That’s no problem for at least one California restaurant. Basilico’s in Huntington Beach, Orange County, has taken a stand against coronavirus vaccination policies, calling them "treasonous, anti-American stupidity," in a sign posted outside the business. Earlier this week, Basilico’s posted on Instagram what it called a "Declaration and Pledge of Defiance." "Challenging fellow business owners to fight with us & fight like us!" the post said. (Calicchio, 7/29)

Orange County Register: Anti-Mask Huntington Beach Restaurant Took PPP Funds While Rejecting Safety Regulations 
A Huntington Beach restaurant that has been outspoken in its defiance of state and federal COVID-19 recommendations, such as masks and vaccines, accepted money from the government’s Paycheck Protection Program. Despite its vehement anti-state and federal government social media postings, Basilico’s Pasta E Vino has accepted $57,738 in PPP funds, according to ProPublica’s Small Business Administration loan database. The federal government offered the assistance as a lifeline to small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic to help cover payroll costs. (Valdespino, 7/28)