The Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB releases a statement supporting vaccinations against COVID-19.

“The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB stands with Gov. Mike Parson when he says, ‘Vaccination continues to be the best method of COVID-19 prevention, and we encourage anyone age 12 and up to be vaccinated to protect themselves and those around them,’” stated Jason Outman, CEO the Chamber in a statement released late Wednesday. “While the current percentage of fully vaccinated people in our area is very low, we want that number to increase. In order to reach herd immunity, it must be between 70%-90%.”

The Chamber in the statement also talks about the importance of providing a safe environment for visitors to the area as well as the employees that serve and support them and provides some facts about the current situation from the CDC and other sources.

According to the release, the Chamber Office on Gretna Road is a site for COVID-19 Testing every and provides the links for vaccine information. 

The complete statement from the Chamber along with the link is below:

“The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB stands with Gov. Mike Parson when he says, ‘Vaccination continues to be the best method of COVID-19 prevention, and we encourage anyone age 12 and up to be vaccinated to protect themselves and those around them,’” stated Jason Outman, CEO of Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB. “While the current percentage of fully vaccinated people in our area is very low, we want that number to increase. In order to reach herd immunity, it must be between 70%-90%.”

 In Branson, the safety of the traveling public, our guests and our employees is of the utmost importance. While it’s important to remain vigilant and take precautions to avoid COVID-19, it’s equally important to make rational and fact-based decisions. Here are the most recent facts about our area:

 Average age of admitted COVID-19 patients is in their 40s.

• More than 97% of those admitted for COVID-19 at one hospital are unvaccinated.
• Last week, area hospitals had to send patients as far away as Tulsa, Okla. and Dallas, Tex.
• St. Louis and Kansas City hospitals predict they will be full in two weeks.
• Our medical professionals are tired and need community support. 

 According to the CDC, fully vaccinated people have a minimal risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. There is currently a COVID-19 testing site available every Friday at the Branson Chamber of Commerce/CVB, 4100 Gretna Rd. Vaccines are available at 15 places in the Branson area. For a list of locations, visit www.vaccines.gov.