Saguache County COVID-19 vaccination update

SAGUACHE COUNTY — Saguache County Public Health administered 120 COVID-19 vaccinations to first responders and county residents age 70 and above. Saguache County Public Health have immunized a total of 301 people with their first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. These individuals have also been scheduled to receive a second dose.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines require two doses. The Moderna vaccine requires two doses 28 days apart. COVID-19 vaccines are not interchangeable. The second dose of any COVID-19 vaccine must be completed with the same vaccine product as the first dose. We strongly recommend that you get both doses from the same vaccine provider. Because of limited vaccine supply, we need to place the order for your second dose after administering your first dose. This process ensures that the State’s weekly allocation from the federal government will have enough second doses of the same vaccine product at the right time.

Please, help us make sure that no vaccine goes to waste. If you have been given an appointment for a vaccine, it is important that you keep it.

We are currently authorized to provide vaccinations to those in the Colorado Phase 1A and those “above the dotted line” in Phase 1B. This includes high- and moderate-risk health care workers, first responders, and individuals age 70 and above.

We expect it will take several months before everyone who wants a vaccine can get one because of limited availability. Prioritizing health care workers and first responders, who are on the front lines of the pandemic and are directly exposed to COVID-19 as part of their jobs, will help us save lives in the next few months.

Statewide, it is estimated that we will be able to move “below the line” in Phase 1B around the first of March. That group will include certain high-risk frontline essential workers, such as those in education, food and agriculture. It is estimated we will reach Phase 2 in the spring. Phase 2 includes those age 60 and older, those with underlying health conditions, and an expanded pool of essential workers. By summer, we expect to be able to offer vaccinations to others in the general public.

COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be very effective in preventing symptoms of the disease. However, current information suggests it is possible that someone who has been vaccinated against COVID-19 may still have a mild or asymptomatic infection or spread the virus to others. We still need everyone to do their part to prevent the spread of the virus. Wear a mask, keep 6 feet of distance from others who do not live with you, avoid gatherings, wash your hands often, and stay home when you are sick.

For updates visit our website: https://www.saguachecounty.net/index.php/departments/public-health

And on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saguachehealth

Residents age 70 or above, call Saguache County Public Health at: 719-655-2533 to get on the vaccination wait list.

Thank you for your patience as we work through our vaccination plan. We will get a vaccination to everyone who wants one; however, this will take time.