While the nation’s health officials recently approved the use of a second COVID-19 booster, Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said this inoculation is more nuanced than those received in the last year.
With testing positivity continuing to plummet, the state now has 114 “green” counties and six in the “yellow,” and Stack noted the use of a second booster would be most effective for those 12-and-older for Pfizer, 18-and-older for Moderna and 50-and-older in general — and are immunocompromised — to improve protection.
More than 70% of Kentuckians have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, which is highly protective against both the “Delta” and “Omicron” variants. Stack further noted that “Omicron’s” BA-1 and BA-2 strains are the dominant ones currently within the nation’s populus.
Over the last few weeks, Kentuckians and out-of-state visitors have taken their own stances on masking at indoor and outdoor events and gatherings — some opting to still don them, while others have moved on from it.
Either way, Stack noted the Commonwealth is in a good place, healthwise, citing the low testing positivity across the state. And because of this, masking should be “optional,” and not judged.
Stack said monoclonal antibody treatments have fallen to less than 200 per week over the last two weeks, while two oral medications from Merck and Pfizer are readily available in pharmacies statewide — and it can be prescribed by medical practitioners with little issue.
