VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The following is a news release by the City County Health District Office in Valley City.
“It’s an historic moment…the COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in Valley City. The first shipment of vaccine will be given to front-line health care workers over the next 2 weeks. “This is a very special day—a day we’ve been waiting for”, states Theresa Will, City County Health District (CCHD) director and the lead for the pandemic command center here in Valley City.
The first vaccine will be available for tier one staff, those who are prioritized because of elevated risk of viral exposure and nursing home residents who suffer higher rates of severe COVID-19. This is why the Sheyenne Care Center will be providing vaccinations for both its employees and staff.
Other healthcare sites receiving the vaccine this week include CHI Mercy Health, CCHD, and Sanford Health. CCHD will provide the vaccinations for Open Door, Legacy, and Emergency Responders (e.g. the ambulance team, the sheriff, police and dispatch). Thrifty White Drug Store is involved via a government contract and will provide vaccinations for Maryvale and Bridgeview.
All the providers at Essentia Clinic in Valley City received the vaccine last week. Dr. Tanya Diegel of Essentia stated, “I am definitely encouraging my patients to take the vaccine. The availability of this safe and effective vaccine is crucial in our fight against this virus. “
“It’s important that we reach herd immunity,” emphasizes Dr. Misty Anderson of Sanford Health. She continues, “herd immunity means that 70-75% of the population receive the vaccine, that’s the only way we’ll be able to bring this virus under control. I, too, will be encouraging my patients to take the vaccine.”
The COVID-19 vaccine from two companies has been approved by the FDA. Both vaccines require two shots with the Pfizer vaccine to be given 21 days apart and the Moderna vaccine given 28 days apart.
Our community and state has certainly been touched by COVID-19, with many people falling ill,
some dying. And nationwide over 310,000 people have unnecessarily died from this disease. Medical people across the world are rejoicing in the hope that this vaccine will bring.”
Feature photo: Doctors and front-line health care workers in Valley City celebrate the arrival of the new COVID-19 vaccine.