County in 'full force' with COVID vaccinations

Havre Daily News staff

Hill County health agencies are reminding people they are “in full force” vaccinating people for COVID-19.

Monday was the start of the latest phase in the state vaccination schedule, and Northern Montana Health Care, Hill County Health Department and Bullhook Community Health Center said in a release that they are vaccinating people eligible for Phases 1A, 1B and 1B+.

Phase 1B+ qualifications are:

• People 60 years and older.

• American Indians and other people of color who may be at elevated risk for COVID-19 complications.

• People 16-59 with high-risk medical conditions.

Qualifying conditions include:

• Asthma, moderate to severe.

• Cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain.

• Cystic fibrosis.

• Immunocompromised state — weakened immune system — from

blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of

corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines.

• Neurologic conditions, such as dementia.

• Liver disease.

• Pulmonary fibrosis — having damaged or scarred lung tissues.

• Thalassemia, a type of blood disorder.

• 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.

People who qualify and would like to get their COVID-19 vaccination can call 400-2369.

People also can call to be added to the waiting list for Phase 1C.

Blaine County Health Department has listed 357-2345 as the number to call to get on the vaccination list.

Health officials continue to warn people that until most everyone is vaccinated, people should continue to work to slow the spread of the virus, including wearing masks if in a public setting, social distancing at least 6 feet from others not from their household, regularly washing their hands with soap and water or a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol, and not going out in public if not necessary.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did release recommendations on what guidelines people who are fully vaccinated should follow in non-health care settings. Following are the recommendations listed on the CDC website.

Fully vaccinated people can:

• Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing.

• Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing.

• Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic.

For now, fully vaccinated people should continue to:

• Take precautions in public like wearing a well-fitted mask and physical distancing.

• Wear masks, practice physical distancing, and adhere to other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease.

• Wear masks, maintain physical distance and practice other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households.

• Avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings.

• Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

• Follow guidance issued by individual employers.

• Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations.