The Richland County Health Department is announcing the availability of COVID-19 vaccine appointments for those who fall in Phase 1B of the vaccination plan. The first appointments are available beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 26.
The vaccination plan was developed according to guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, and was reviewed by the Board of Health on Jan. 12. The phases are subject to change.
Phase 1B includes community members who are aged 70 years and older, as well as individuals 18-69 who have high-risk medical conditions who may have an elevated risk of COVID-19 complications. This phase also includes American Indians and other people of color who may be at elevated risk of complications. Those seeking appointments are asked to self-certify that they fall into this category.
The Health Department provides the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which requires two doses, spaced 28 days apart. The Moderna vaccine is only approved for people ages 18 and older. The vaccine comes in 10 dose vials that must be used within 6 hours of opening. Individuals will be instructed to arrive on time and if cancellation is unavoidable, to do so with as much advance notice as possible. If individuals are more than 10 minutes late, they will be required to reschedule.
Individuals should expect their appointment to last between 30 and 45 minutes. This provides a period of between 15 and 30 minutes to monitor for signs of an allergic reaction.
The Richland County Health Department will be billing private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid an administrative fee of $35 per dose. If insurance does not cover this fee, individuals will not be sent a bill.
A dedicated website has been developed to provide vaccine-related information, which can be accessed at https://www.richland.org/782/COVID-19-Vaccination-Plan. To schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine at the Richland County Health Department, please call 406-433-2207. For general inquiries about COVID-related topics, call the Information Line at 406-433-6947.
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