BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Calhoun County is lagging behind most other counties in southwest Michigan when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations, meanwhile, Kalamazoo County leads the area.
Calhoun County Health Department Officer Eric Pessell told WOOD-TV that their department is trying to make the process as easy as possible and they are working hard to combat misinformation about the vaccines on social media. He says the area is at risk of another spike in cases if more people don’t get their shots.
“The more the virus spreads from person to person, the more opportunity it has to mutate. If we get to a point where the virus mutates enough that our vaccines are no longer effective, we’re back to square one.”
Younger populations in urban areas of the county are showing the lowest participation rate, along with people living in rural areas. To date, 45.6% of the Calhoun County population has been vaccinated. Kalamazoo County shows 58.1% of residents in the county are currently vaccinated.
Meanwhile, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden encouraged Michigan residents to get vaccinated during a visit to the state on Thursday. She toured the Grand Rapids Community College vaccination clinic along with Republican Congressman Peter Meijer and Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss.
“When we all do this, we will be able to spend this summer the way we should… to spend it together.”
The first lady says vaccines are safe, effective, and saving lives. She added that the Biden administration believes the U.S. could reach a vaccination mark of 70% for residents 16 and older by the 4th of July.
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