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Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 now available in Barton County
New deaths reported in Barton and Pawnee counties
new deh flu shot updtae pic web

More than half of Pawnee County is vaccinated


The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports that 54% of Pawnee County residents age 12 and older are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Pawnee County ranks 31st out of 105 Kansas counties for vaccination.

Johnson County ranks 1st with 78% of its eligible population fully vaccinated.

Barton County ranks 84th with 46% vaccinated.

Stafford County ranks 66th with 49% vaccinated.

The Barton County Health Department reports the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 is now authorized and recommended.

The Federal Drug Administration approved it Oct. 28 under emergency use authorization. On Tuesday, Nov. 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practice voted 14-0 to recommend the vaccine for children ages 5-11. The recommendation is for two 10-microgram doses (the adult doses are 30 micrograms).

The recommendation for children to be vaccinated includes those with underlying conditions and previous COVID infection.

The vaccine is available during regular business hours at the Barton County Health Department.


KDHE update

As of 9 a.m. Friday, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports there have been 440,303 COVID-19 cases, 15,095 hospitalizations and 6,495 statewide deaths over the course of the pandemic. There were 2,107 new cases, 86 new hospitalizations and 47 new deaths reported since Wednesday, Nov. 3. That includes one death in Barton County and one in Pawnee County.

Here are the total cases for area counties as of 9 a.m. Friday, with the change since Wednesday:

• Barton 3,996 (+22)

• Ellsworth 1,412 (+2)

• Pawnee 1,505 (+5)

• Rice 1,487 (+6)

• Rush 519 (+0)

• Russell 1,198 (+19)

• Stafford 623 (+10)


Here are the death totals for area counties as of 9 a.m. Friday, with any change since last Monday.

• Barton 59 (+1) 

• Ellsworth 29

• Pawnee 16 (+1)

• Rice 15  

• Rush 16

• Russell 33 

• Stafford 16 


Hospitalizations as of Friday:

Barton County has reported 130 hospitalizations attributed to COVID-19 over the course of the pandemic, an increase of three since last Monday. The number of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions has not changed at 27. Eighty-seven discharged patients have been reported to KDHE, up from 86. The median age of Barton County patients admitted so far this month is 50.

Pawnee County has reported 64 hospital admissions, an increase of one, with 14 ICU admissions to date (unchanged from Monday) and 44 discharged patients reported (an increase of one).

Stafford County has reported 25 hospitalizations, including 10 ICU admissions and 17 discharged patients. The numbers are unchanged from Friday, Oct. 29.