The state has reached a milestone in an effort to increase the vaccination rate. The Louisiana Health Department is reporting over two million Louisianans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccine hesitancy can be found among African-Americans. Tulane School of Public Health Dean Doctor Thomas LaVeist says most hesitant Blacks are not anti-vax, they just have unanswered questions. One of the most common concerns is potential long-term impacts, which can be addressed.
Cut 11 (13) “…by now.”

500 residents in Shreveport can earn 100-dollars by getting their first COVID vaccine shot tomorrow. Mayor Adrian Perkins…
cut 8 (07) “….much higher”
There are two community vaccination events tomorrow in Shreveport, the first 250 people at each site will be eligible to receive 100-dollars.

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities face a shortage of nurses, a problem that’s hitting home as the delta variant surge tears through the state. Louisiana State Nurses Association President Ecoee (E-Coy) Rooney says the shortage isn’t a surprise, but the timing is bad.
Cut 4 (09) “..retiring.”
Rooney says they are seeing an increase in nursing students, but that can not help the current situation.

State officials want to remind residents that the LA Wallet app has a feature that can display their vaccination status. Since the feature was launched in the spring, LA Wallet Project Manager Sara Kelley says they’ve seen a big increase in users opting in for vaccine status.
Cut 13 (09) “…in the system.”