Weston County prepares for COVID-19 vaccine

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for emergency use in the U.S. We are excited and patiently awaiting the delivery of the vaccine to Weston County. The exact date of delivery or how many doses we will receive is uncertain at this time. The distribution of the vaccine is a very complicated process with many variables that could affect dates and allocations. Weston County Public Health has been in contact with our community partners who are in the first subgroups of Phase 1A, vaccine distribution to coordinate vaccine efforts. We are ready to implement our vaccine plan as soon as the vaccine arrives.
Weston County Health Services and Weston County Public Health will be receiving direct shipments of the Moderna vaccine. The hospital will provide vaccines to their hospital personnel who provide direct patient care. Weston County Public Health, in the initial vaccine shipments, will provide vaccines for health care providers and emergency medical services. As we receive more vaccine, we will move down the priority list into the other subgroups listed in the COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 1A Priority Schedule. We will send out notifications for each group who are next in line for the vaccinations.
The federal government has coordinated with CVS and Walgreen pharmacies as a part of a nationwide effort to provide vaccinations to long-term care staff and residents in nursing homes as well as assisted living facilities. Each of these pharmacies have contracts in place to receive separate allotments of the COVID-19 vaccine to vaccinate this population. The original commitment stated the pharmacies would provide vaccines within a 75-mile radius of their location. We are very grateful to the Gillette-based Walgreens, who graciously extended their coverage area to include Weston County. They will be providing COVID-19 vaccinations to each of our long-term care facilities, Weston County Manor and Mondell Heights Retirement Community.
The COVID-19 vaccination program is completely voluntary. We want each individual considering receiving the vaccine to be educated with the facts. We have provided a Moderna COVID-19 Fact Sheet for the public to review and assist with making an informed decision when considering vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control as well as the Wyoming Department of Health have information on their websites concerning the COVID-19 vaccinations.
The CDC has developed a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Through V-Safe, you can quickly tell CDC if you have any side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Depending on your answers, someone from CDC may call to check on you and get more information. And V-Safe will remind you to get your second COVID-19 vaccine dose if you need one. 
Please call Weston County Public Health at (307) 746-4775 or your health care provider if you have concerns or questions regarding  COVID-19 vaccines.
Information is available here:cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/vsafe, cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index, and wyo.gov/publichealth/immunization/wyoming-covid-19-vaccine-information.