CHEYENNE — The majority of the most recent, new COVID-19 Wyoming cases have involved residents who were not fully vaccinated, according to Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist.

A Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) review of more than 2,400 lab-confirmed and probable cases identified among Wyoming residents age 16 and older between May 1 and June 15 shows just under 95 percent of the individuals do not report being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

During the same period, of the nearly 150 persons infected by COVID-19 who were hospitalized at the time they were interviewed by public health representatives, more than 93 percent did not report being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. To date, there has been one COVID-19 related death of a fully vaccinated Wyoming resident.

Vaccines have been widely available for adults across the state since late March. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two weeks after one dose of the Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) vaccine.

Harrist said the current data for Wyoming appears to be consistent with results across the country.

“We are seeing excellent results among those who have been vaccinated. The vast majority of recent, new cases have involved people who were not yet fully vaccinated,” Harrist said.

“It’s clear vaccines are the key to seeing fewer COVID-19 illnesses and there is no question we’d like to see higher vaccine coverage rates in our state,” Harrist said.

Harrist noted Wyoming’s average statewide daily case numbers have remained stable in recent months. “However, Wyoming’s numbers are not dropping as quickly as in states with more complete vaccination coverage. In fact, our rate of new cases adjusted for our population is among the highest in the nation. Hospitalizations have increased in recent weeks and this is something we hate to see happen when we know it could largely be avoided through vaccination,” she said.

The growing presence of the Delta variant among Wyoming COVID-19 cases, particularly in southeastern Wyoming, is a cause for concern.

“The data is showing this variant is more easily transmitted than other strains, meaning it spreads more easily between people and spreads to more people,” Harrist said. “Early information is also showing this variant may be associated with higher likelihood of severe illness than other variants.”

“Our experience demonstrates what we expected to be true: these vaccines can do their job very well including against the Delta variant,” Harrist said. “We remain confident in recommending that everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated should do so as soon as possible.”

“We know COVID-19 infections are not limited to those who have the highest risk of severe illness. Anyone can get the virus and have a harder time than they might expect and anyone could potentially pass it on to someone who could really struggle,” Harrist said.

“By getting a COVID-19 vaccine, you help protect your health and the health of your loved ones,” Harrist said.

For local vaccination information, click here. More information from WDH about vaccination in Wyoming can be found here.