VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The following is a news release by the City County Health District Office in Valley City.

“The first COVID-19 vaccine was given in Valley City by City County Health District (CCHD) nurses on December 21st. Another 70 doses were given on Tuesday, December 22nd. This first shipment of vaccine was given to front-line health care workers. Their second dose will be given in 28 days.

Sue Lloyd, Barnes County Emergency Manager, one of those receiving the vaccine stated, “I didn’t even feel it when the CCHD nurse gave me the shot. The vaccine is the road for all of us to get back on track and do the things we love to do, like see our friends and family! I’m glad I was one of the first in Barnes County to get the shot.”

There is no charge for the vaccine, it is totally free. The first vaccine will be available for prioritized workers who have an elevated risk of getting COVID-19 to include staff at CCHD, CHI Mercy Health, Sanford Health, Essential Health, Emergency Responders ( e.g. the ambulance team, the sheriff, police and dispatch) and Sheyenne Care Center staff.

High risk populations will also be prioritized and will soon be vaccinated. This includes Sheyenne Care Center, Open Door, Legacy Place and Bridgeview.

The vaccines being given presently are from two different companies– Moderna (the one given by CCHD) and Pfizer. They are both only approximately 50% effective after the first dose, which is why both require a second dose which makes them about 95% effective.

Studies of the COVID-19 vaccines only measured whether vaccinated people developed symptoms, not whether they got infected. There is no way to identify, so far, how these vaccines affect the ability to carry and transfer the disease without having symptoms. Therefore, it is still important to mask, maintain distancing, and wash your hands for 20 seconds even after getting the vaccine.”

Feature photo: Front row (L to R) Andrea Winter, Kerry Due, Sue Lloyd. Back Row: Katie Beyer, Angie Martin, Amanda Nielson, Amber Schmidt, Becky Kratz, Renae Larson, and Betty Tykwinski.