Vaccinations

As coronavirus cases rise and more contagious variants take hold in Missouri, the four largest hospital systems in St. Louis are requiring all their workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by fall. Employees at St. Luke’s, SSM Health, BJC HealthCare and Mercy Health will need to be vaccinated by late September. Hospital officials say unvaccinated health workers are more at risk of catching the virus and more likely to spread it to patients.

Missouri is a hot spot for the delta variant, which is easy to catch and transmit, and health officials are urging the state to redouble its efforts to give Missourians the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. George Turabelidze, Missouri state epidemiologist, said people should assess their risks and whether they should wear masks.

Any vaccinated Illinois resident will be automatically entered into a lottery for $10 million in prizes without having to take any extra steps to enter. Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the “all in for the win” vaccine lottery at an event in Chicago.

The vaccination site at the Dome at America’s Center closes June 1. It’s open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until then.

Some students could be fully inoculated by the end of June.

Two military members share their experience working with FEMA and other agencies to distribute vaccinations at the Dome.

The clinic will close on May 30 following waning demand for shots both locally and nationally. County residents will be able to get vaccinated at the health department once the large clinic closes.

The St. Louis City Department of Health is working with the city's Fire Department and the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging to vaccinate residents who can’t leave their homes because of their age or disability.

After receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, some people are reporting heavier menstrual cycles and more cramping. To date, there are no published scientific studies about a possible link, but researchers are looking into it.

What does your body’s reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine reveal about your immune system? And what’s with reports of a post-vaccine arm rash? In this episode, the director of St. Louis University’s Center for Vaccine Development discusses the latest vaccine news and answers listener questions.