Phase 1B Vaccinations Begin In Poplar Thursday

The Unified Command of the Roosevelt County, Fort Peck Tribes, Indian Health Services, Northeast Montana Health Services and Roosevelt Medical Center Task Force met on Wednesday, Jan. 6, to discuss the post-holidays COVID-19 situation and response.

COVID testing continues to be available at the usual locations: Call Wolf Point (653-1641) and Poplar (768-3491) IHS clinics for an appointment or a drive-thru testing schedule; Trinity and Poplar hospitals have testing available for both the disease and antibodies; People with symptoms should call their health care provider for an appointment at Listerud Clinic 653-2150, Riverside Clinic 768-5171; People without symptoms should call Roosevelt County Health Department (653-6223) for a testing referral; Call Roosevelt Medical Center Clinic at 787-6400 to schedule a testing appointment in the Culbertson area.

Phase 1A of COVID vaccination in Montana will be wrapping up in mid-January.

Poplar IHS is holding a Phase 1B vaccination event at the Cultural Center in Poplar on Thursday, Jan. 14, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Roosevelt County Health Department will be utilizing an appointment system for COVID vaccine distribution throughout the county. Beginning Thursday, Jan. 14, individuals in Phase 1B are encouraged to contact the health department to secure a place on a list.

Either of the following methods can be used: Call the health department at 653-6223 or 653-6124; go to the Roosevelt County Health Department Facebook page and click on the COVID Vaccine Sign-up Link; Information for the list will include name, contact information, Phase criteria and place of residence in Roosevelt County.

Since vaccine supplies are limited from the Montana Department of Health and Human Services Immunization Section, vaccine distribution events will be scheduled based on vaccine availability. Individuals on the Phase 1b vaccination list will be contacted and given an appointment date and time in the community in which they reside or choose to be vaccinated.

At this time, events are planned to take place at the Roosevelt County Conference Room in Wolf Point, the Poplar High School gymnasium and the Culbertson Armory.

The following list includes individuals in Phase 1b of Montana’s COVID vaccination campaign and Frequently Asked Questions answered by the DPHHS Immunization Section.

Phase 1B Recipients

•Persons aged 70 years and older.

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

•Persons aged 16-69 with highrisk medical conditions. Qualifying medical conditions include:

•Cancer

•Chronic kidney disease

•COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

•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

•Type 1 & 2 Diabetes mellitus

•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. Montana COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions Q: Why is the State of Montana updating their recommendations?

A: After review of recent COVID-19 activity, hospitalizations and deaths and vaccination resources, the state of Montana will be prioritizing vaccine delivery to those most at risk of severe complications related to COVID-19.

Q: When can I get vaccinated?

A: Refer to the up to date information at dphhs.mt.gov for information on the availability of vaccine and

•Cancer

•Chronic kidney disease

•COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

•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

•Type 1 & 2 Diabetes mellitus •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.

Montana COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions Q: Why is the State of Montana updating their recommendations?

A: After review of recent COVID-19 activity, hospitalizations and deaths and vaccination resources, the state of Montana will be prioritizing vaccine delivery to those most at risk of severe complications related to COVID-19.

Q: When can I get vaccinated?

A: Refer to the up to date information at dphhs.mt.gov for information on the availability of vaccine and current target groups. Based on vaccine supplies, it is anticipated that expansion of vaccination to individuals aged 70 and over or who are at highrisk (Phase 1B) will begin in mid-January. This approximate timeline is subject to change, as doses will be extremely limited. Individuals will need to monitor messaging from local public health authorities and local medical providers regarding supply in their area. This phase will likely take several months to complete as additional vaccine becomes available, so not everyone who is eligible will be vaccinated on day 1 of Phase 1B.

Q: How do I know if I am high risk due to an underlying medical condition?

A: Refer to the guidance available at dphhs.mt.gov for information on the target populations and medical conditions related to increased risk from COVID-19.

Q: Where can I be vaccinated?

A: Vaccination sites vary by county or jurisdiction. Enrolled vaccine providers include local health departments, hospitals, community health centers, IHS and tribal health, and pharmacies. We recommend monitoring messaging from local public health authorities and local medical providers regarding supply in your area. As vaccine becomes available outside of targeted medical providers currently being vaccinated, information on vaccine availability will be available at the dphhs.mt.gov website as well as most local health department web sites.

Q: Which vaccine will I get?

A: If you are 16-18 years old, you will receive the Pfizer vaccine as it is the only vaccine approved for persons under 18 at this time. If you are 18 years old and over, the vaccine you receive will depend on the allocation on hand of the provider who is responsible for your vaccine administration.

Q: How do the vaccines work?

A: mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. To trigger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. Not mRNA vaccines. Instead, they teach our cells how to make a protein — or even just a piece of a protein — that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies. Visit the CDC website for more information.

Q: Are the vaccines safe?

A: The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. Learn how federal partners are working together to ensure the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

Q: How far along is the state in the vaccination progress?

A: While the state remains in vaccination Phase 1A, which includes patient-facing health care providers along with staff and residents of long-term care facilities, some communities may be ready to initiate vaccination Phase 1B.

Q: Who will let me know when I need my second dose?

A: When you receive your first dose, you will be given a vaccination card showing the type of vaccine you received and the date of your second scheduled dose. You may also receive an electronic notification from the facility’s Electronic Health Record when the second dose is available.