COVID-19 vaccine sign up available

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The Clay County Health Department has posted a sign-up form for those interested in receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine when it becomes available. Kansas is currently in Phase 1 of the vaccine dispensing plan which includes health care workers involved in pandemic response and patient contact.

When Phase 2 begins, the priority list will be expanded to include frontline, critical service workers that routinely have contact with the public. The full list of prioritizations in the Kansas Vaccine Prioritization Plan is posted at https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/DocumentCenter/ View/121/Vaccine-Prioritization-Slides-PDF

Clay County residents can sign up for the vaccine using the link posted on the Clay County Health Department or Clay County Kansas Emergency Management Facebook pages. The link is also posted on the county website at www.claycountykansas.org. The link is on the home page, just to the left of the calendar. You will be contacted when the vaccine arrives and it is time to schedule your immunization appointment.

Residents that do not have internet access and those who need assistance completing the form can call 632-3193, press 1 and leave a message, someone will return your call. That number will be answered by volunteer staff during regular office hours, but if asked to leave a voicemail, please do so and your call will be returned.

It is important to remember that the vaccine has not yet been received. When it is received, it will be dispensed following the guidance provided by KDHE regarding priority groups. When you make an appointment to receive the vaccine, you will be expected to keep that appointment. If you are a no-show, it will be your responsibility to reschedule. It will be important to make an appointment and keep your appointment as scheduled. You should also plan adequate time in your schedule to arrive a bit early to check in and you will be required to stay for about 15 minutes after receiving your immunization. Plan your time accordingly.

The vaccine is packaged in small vials that must be temperature controlled. Once the vial is opened, the vaccine must be dispensed within just a few hours. If there are not enough people scheduled to completely use the doses in the vial, the new vial will not be opened and the waiting group will be re-scheduled. This has to be done in order to efficiently use the vaccine without wasting doses.

The vaccine dispensing will take time. We are asking our citizens to be patient. Sign up to indicate your interest so we can adequately schedule staff and resources to meet the demand when the vaccine arrives.

The appointments for the required second dose of vaccine will be discussed with you when you receive your first dose. Please continue to wear your mask, wash your hands, avoid gathering with those not in your household and follow the Public Health recommendations for disease prevention. The vaccine will not provide immunity until a few weeks after you complete the vaccinations.