BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana’s state epidemiologist and her 12-year-old daughter were among those stressing the need for COVID-19 vaccinations Thursday at the state Capitol.
Theresa Sokol and her daughter Elise joined Gov. John Bel Edwards and health officials at a news conference.
Elise spoke about being part of a clinical trial for the Moderna vaccine. She said she’s grateful to be part of the effort to get more people vaccinated. State officials are now promoting vaccinations for children as young as 12.
Edwards, meanwhile, says the state’s vaccination rate remains too low. He said a little over 35% of the state’s eligible population have had a first shot; 30% have completed their vaccination dosages. “That’s not where we want it to be, quite frankly,” Edwards said. “I’m very disappointed in those numbers. We have to do better.”
Edwards said he is looking at possible incentive programs to encourage people to get vaccinated. He would not give details.