Vaccination clinics continue in area

More COVID-19 vaccine is rolling into the area and more clinics are being scheduled, while health officials continue to warn people they need to continue efforts to slow the spread of the disease until enough people are vaccinated to reduce the risk.

Blaine County Health Department issued a press release Monday that it, in partnership with the One Health-Sweet Clinic and the Aanniiih Nakoda College Nursing Program held its first community COVID-19 vaccination clinic, vaccinating 235 people who qualified for the Phase 1B vaccination schedule.

“Heartfelt thanks to the Blaine County Disaster and Emergency Services, Blaine County commissioners, Blaine County fair manager and Blaine 1 EMS for your support in our clinic and in keeping our communities save and healthy,” the release said. “… Our community partnerships and grateful vaccine recipients made this first clinic an absolute success and we look forward to continuing our vaccination efforts.”

More clinics also are being scheduled in the Havre area, both for educators second shots and more Phase 1B clinics.

The release said the partners plan to continue with the clinics to administer the first shots of the two-shot vaccine as they receive vaccine, and are working concurrently to arrange for second doses for the people receiving the first dose.

It said people who are interested in receiving a vaccination who  have not yet called the office to get on the vaccination list should call 357-2345.

“We will collect information and be back in touch with appointment details as soon as vaccine inventory allows additional ‘first dose’ clinics to be scheduled,” the release said.

Progress being made, but slowing the spread still crucial

Vaccination clinics are continuing through the area, and the state COVID tracking map reports that, including Phase 1A that focused on front-line health care workers, Blaine County has administered 1,491 vaccinations, with 485 fully immunized.

Hill County has administered 2,258 doses, with 424 people fully immunized, while Liberty County has administered 287 doses with 84 people fully immunized and Chouteau County has administered 641 doses with 107 people fully immunized.

Centers of Disease Control and Prevention reports that to have herd immunity — when a large portion of the population becomes immune, slowing the spread of the disease, the number of peope who have to be immune varies from disease to disease.  The more contagious a disease is, the greater the proportion of the population that needs to be immune to the disease to stop its spread, a page on the CDC website says, adding that, tor example, the measles is a highly contagious illness. It’s estimated that 94 percent of the population must be immune to interrupt the chain of transmission.

The site says that until enough people are vaccinated, slowing the spread of the disease is crucial. Rapid spread is also allowing the disease to mutate, increasing problems with its level of danger and treatment.

“When possible, get a COVID-19 vaccine,” the page says. “Also, take steps to reduce the risk of infection:

• Avoid large events and mass gatherings.

• Avoid close contact (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters) with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.

• Stay home as much as possible and keep distance between yourself and others (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters) if COVID-19 is spreading in your community, especially if you have a higher risk of serious illness. Keep in mind some people may have the COVID-19 virus and spread it to others, even if they don’t have symptoms or don’t know they have COVID-19.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Wear a cloth face covering in public spaces, such as the grocery store, where it’s difficult to avoid close contact with others, especially if you’re in an area with ongoing community spread. Only use nonmedical cloth masks — surgical masks and N95 respirators should be reserved for health care providers.

• Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the used tissue.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, bedding and other household items if you’re sick.

• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, electronics and counters, daily.

• Stay home from work, school and public areas if you’re sick, unless you’re going to get medical care. Avoid public transportation, taxis and ride-sharing if you’re sick.”

More clinics

More clinics are being set and health departments continue to add to lists of people signed up to go to vaccination clinics.

The Blaine County release said Montana Department of Health and Human Services expects Phase 1B, which includes vaccinating people 70 and older, people 16 to 69 with qualifying underlying illness and Native Americans and other people of color believed to be at higher risk from COVID-19, will continue until April.

It lists the underlying qualifying conditions for people ages 16-19:

• Cancer

• Chronic kidney disease

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD

• Down Syndrome

• Heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies

• Immunocompromised state — weakened immune system — from solid organ transplant

• Severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2)

• Sickle cell disease

• Types 1 and 2 diabetes

• On a case-by-case basis, medical providers may include individuals with other conditions that place them at elevated risk for COVID-19 related complications. 

Qualifying people who have not done so are urged to call and get on the list, the release said.

Hill County Health Director and Health Officer Kim Larson said this morning that the next vaccination in this county is set for Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the clinic will vaccinate 240 people.

She said that this week the clinics started including people ages 16-69 in the qualifying groups.

“People need to call the 400-2369 phone number to get on the wait list, because that is where we are getting the names of people for the clinics so far,” she said. “Once those wait lists are not enough to fill a clinic then we will make it well known that we have open appointments.”

And the second shots for educators and people who deal with children, like eligible day care providers, also are coming close.

Havre Interim Superintendent Craig Mueller said second shots will be given to school district personnel Wednesday, Feb. 10, and Friday, Feb. 12.

An email was sent to district personnel about the clinics, including a letter from Larson about the importance of getting the second shot.

Rocky Boy”s Indian Reservation also is holding a vaccination clinic Wednesday in the Stone Child College Gymnasium from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in its phases 2 to 4, residents older 18 with two or more high-risk medical conditions or essential employees serving the Chippewa Cree Tribe.

A flyer says no appointments are needed and vaccines will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis.

People with questions are asked to call 395-1642, 395-1640 or 395-1643 and leave a name and call-back number if no one can answer the call.