JAMESTOWN, N.D (CVH) – Central Valley Health District (CVHD) continues to work with local clinics and other health care providers to vaccinate the community for COVID.

This week was very busy at CVHD with the administration of first and second doses in the community.

“We completed over 200 first doses and 322 second doses this week,” reports Robin Iszler, Unit Administrator.

Next week, CVHD anticipates to provide an increased amount of first doses with approximately 600 doses planned to arrive early in the week.

Iszler reports that CVHD staff, with the assistance of the North Dakota National Guard, have begun calling clients from the interest list to schedule an appointment for vaccination clinics planned for next week. If the vaccine arrives as anticipated, CVHD plans to do a large vaccination clinic on Tuesday. The clinic will be by appointment only.

“National guard members are assisting us with calling community member to schedule appointments,” stated Iszler.

Calls are completed during the business hours from 8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m. Those who are called are given instructions on where and when to report to the vaccination clinic location. Information gathered by CVHD will only include name, address, phone number, date of birth, and a few health screening questions. There will be no gathering of any other personal information over the phone; including social security numbers or insurance information. When clients come for their appointment, CHVD staff will assist in the completion of the remainder insurance information that is needed.

Iszler also states that the Federal Pharmacy Program is providing COVID vaccine directly to some pharmacies in North Dakota to provide vaccination in their facilities. This means that community members may be on multiple lists and have registered multiple times in various places, so they may be called more than once. Iszler encourages individuals to take the first available appointment when they are called, whether at public health or at a local pharmacy.

Currently, CVHD is still vaccinating those in priority group Phase 1B, including those 75 and older only.

“Different areas of the North Dakota may be at different priority groups, depending on their population,” warned Iszler.

Central Valley Health anticipates to complete vaccination for those 75 and older by next week and to begin calling those in the next priority group, which includes those 65-74 with underlying health conditions.

For the most up-to-date information, follow Central Valley Health on Facebook or visit their website at www.centralvalleyhealth.org.