State To Text Residents Who Missed Second COVID-19 Shot

In an effort to boost the statewide COVID-19 vaccination rate, the Pennsylvania Department of Health said residents who missed their second dose will soon receive text message reminders to complete the immunization series.

Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said last week federal data shows that about 65 percent of the new virus cases in the region that includes Pennsylvania are caused by the delta variant.

While breakthrough cases have occurred in fully immunized people, Beam said unvaccinated patients represent 97 percent of the hospitalizations and 99 percent of the COVID-19 deaths.

“We...