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Up To Date

Delta Variant Flourishes As Vaccination Rates Stagnate

By Steve Kraske,
Chris Young, Trevor Grandin
Published June 29, 2021 at 4:11 AM CDT
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Greg Neteler receives his dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday. Neteler had previously contracted COVID-19 and spent seven days in the hospital. "It was hell and I don't ever want it again," he said.
Carlos Moreno/KCUR 89.3
Vaccination rates in Missouri are starting to slow down while many parts of Missouri are seeing an increase of positive tests.

Parts of rural Missouri are experiencing a rise in case numbers due to the more easily transmissible Delta variant.

Despite promising vaccination rates early in the year, Missouri's state-wide percentage for fully vaccinated individuals has plateaued at about 39%. A smaller number of people getting vaccinated coupled with the more contagious variant of COVID-19 has caused rural parts of Missouri to become hot spots for infection. "What we went from was brakes and the emergency brake on, to the accelerator," said Dr. Gene Olinger. "We didn't have a middle ground."

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Up To Date Podcasthealth carevaccinesCoronavirusvirusruralSpringfield
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Steve Kraske
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
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Chris Young
Chris Young is an Assistant Producer for KCUR’s Up To Date. Contact him at chrisy@kcur.org.
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Trevor Grandin
Trevor Grandin is a contributing producer for KCUR Studios.
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