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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Blair County's director of public safety is continuing to encourage people to get their COVID-19 vaccinations to counter health threats presented by the potentially deadly virus.
As of Tuesday, 42,539 Blair County residents were fully or partially vaccinated against COVID-19.
"Sadly, that's only 41 percent of Blair County citizens, so we have a long way to go," Director of Public Safety Mark Taylor told commissioners Tuesday in his weekly update.
His percentage would have been calculated on the county's 2020 population of 120,481, minus those less than 16 years old, the current minimum age recommended for COVID-19 vaccination recipients.
While vaccine supplies were initially limited when introduced earlier this year, Taylor said that several suppliers are now offering shots in Blair County.
"There's no reason for people not to get vaccinated," he told commissioners.
Taylor also acknowledged that some local agencies have initiated promotional efforts that seem to be making a difference. He mentioned UPMC Altoona's arrangements to administer vaccinations Tuesday night at PNG Field where the Altoona Curve held its home opener baseball game.
"That's what we want to see," Taylor said. "We need more opportunities to make it as easy as it can be for anyone who wants a vaccine."
Taylor, who addressed commissioners via telephone during the weekly meeting, suggested more people join in encouraging others to get vaccinated.
"If we can convince one, two, three or five more people (to get vaccinated)," he said, "that's more shots into the arms and that helps us get to that herd immunity goal that we're looking for."
Recent statistics show some stabilization in the amount of Blair County residents testing positive for COVID-19 on a weekly basis, but it's still averaging about 50 per day, Taylor said.
COVID-19 related hospitalizations, generally in intensive care units, he said, are averaging 42 per day in Blair County hospitals.
As reported last week, recent hospitalizations include younger people with no vaccination protection.
"It's so important not to put this off," Taylor said.
Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.