Three Rivers is pleased that the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine, also known as Comirnaty, has received FDA approval for individuals who are 16 years of age and older.

“This is extremely exciting news. We know that many have been waiting for this before making the choice to get vaccinated against COVID-19. With the current state of the pandemic, we are thrilled that more people will feel comfortable enough to get vaccinated,” Uhing said.

The health department has identified 11 new lab-confirmed variants of concern within the health district.

The new variants of concern are Delta variant (India): four in Dodge County, six in Saunders County, and one in Washington County.

Three Rivers also reported Wednesday that they have identified nine new lab-confirmed variants of concern within the health district: six B.1.617 Delta variant (India) in Dodge County and three in Saunders County.

To date, Dodge County has a total of 41 identified variants of concern: 16 Alpha variants (U.K.), three California variants, one Gamma variant (Brazil), and 21 Delta variants (India). Saunders County has a total of 24 variants of concern consisting of nine Alpha variants, one Gamma variant, and 14 Delta variants. Washington County has a total of 29 variants of concern: 20 Alpha variants, one Gamma variant, and eight Delta variants. This totals 94 lab-confirmed variants of concern within the Three Rivers health district.