County health providers continue weekly vaccine clinics
From left, are Peggy Temple, Mineral County Board of Health; Shirley Iwata, Superior City Council; Robert Ireland, Superior Volunteer Fire Department, and Steve Temple, Superior Chief at the first station for vaccinations. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
The Mineral County Health Department, Mineral Community Hospital along with a host of community partners and volunteers have been holding weekly COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Mineral County since Friday, Jan. 22 and every Friday since.
Montana is currently in Phase 1B of vaccine distribution. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services estimates that approximately 1,700 individuals are eligible for this phase in Mineral County.
Jenn Donovan, R.N., states, “After today’s clinic, we will have administered approximately 500 first doses and 200 second doses of Moderna vaccine during Phase 1B. We plan to hold weekly clinics until all eligible and requesting individuals are fully immunized.”
For now, patient requests for the vaccine are made by leaving a voicemail at the MCHD 822-3564. Donovan shared that they received 630 calls during the first week temporarily stretching resources. She emphasized that a chronological list of requests for vaccine is maintained.
“Once the vaccine is allocated to Mineral County a clinic is established and individuals on the list are called, screened for eligibility and scheduled for an appointment.”
She said they will soon be transitioning to an online registration system. She acknowledged that some individuals may not have online access so they will have resources available for folks to request assistance before switching to an online system.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through the process of figuring out optimal vaccine distribution for Mineral County.”
Directional sandwich boards along Fourth Avenue assures drivers that they are in the right place with the first stop under the health department awning at the corner of Fifth and Sherlaw.
This is where a packet of paperwork is given to those receiving the vaccination to initiate the process. The next set of volunteers verify identity and obtain insurance information if available.
There are no out of pocket expenses to anyone as vaccine is given to all eligible individuals regardless of insurance status. Patients are then directed to one of eight visibly marked parking spaces where patients are welcomed by a two-nurse team.
One nurse reviews paperwork and answers questions about the vaccine and the other administers the vaccine. Lastly, the driver is directed to another parking location where volunteers visit with and answer any remaining questions as they monitor each individual for a minimum of 15 minutes before they are released to continue their day.
Donovan reports that they handle five appointments every 10 minutes the way the system has been designed. That equates to about 100 people in 3.5 hours being vaccinated.
Lori Dove, Disaster Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, rounds up the 14 volunteers to make this operation hum every Friday. To date, volunteers have come from organizations such as local fire departments/quick response units, U.S. Forest Service and residents dedicating hours to staffing stations at the clinic and/or providing snacks and meals for volunteers.
Dove said that because there does not appear to be an end date, she could use new help on Fridays to keep this community service event enjoyable for all.
Residents have also been able to obtain the COVID-19 vaccination through sources other than the locally provided clinics including the VA and a limited number of primary care facilities.
Current vaccination totals for Mineral County are displayed online at the Montana Response: COVID-19 website under the COVID-19 Vaccine tab.
Up-to-date vaccine information for Mineral County residents can be found posted on flyers at local post offices and grocery stores or online at the health department website and its Facebook page.
For more information, call the health department at 406-822-3564 with questions, to be placed on the list for vaccines or to volunteer.
Donovan concludes, “We have had a lot of fun holding these clinics. It’s wonderful to be in the community working with our partners to provide this service.”