Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) continues our phased distribution plan for COVID-19 vaccine. Priority continues to be given to individuals age 65 and older, as the risk for severe outcomes is higher in this age group.
Because vaccine supply is more consistent, the number of appointments available in our community is increasing. This reduces the period of time between when the interest form is filled out and when an individual is contacted for an appointment.
“We were ready with a mass dispensing location before we had the vaccine to support it. Now that we’re getting larger shipments more regularly, we are in a good position to quickly distribute vaccine to those currently eligible with minimal wait times,” Jeff Kuhr, Mesa County Public Health Executive Director, said.
Mesa County Public Health has contacted more than 16,000 individuals in the 70 and older category who filled out our interest form via email at least once. MCPH staff is now working through a list of about 1,000 individuals who indicated they preferred phone-only contact for scheduling.
In the 65-69 category, we have contacted more than 4,000 individuals for scheduling.
We encourage all residents over the age of 65 to visit the Mesa County Public Health website and fill out our vaccine interest form. A link to our self-scheduling system is sent directly to individuals on that list, sometimes within a few days.
While continuing to prioritize older adults, on March 5, 2021, Colorado will move into Phase 1B.3 of vaccine distribution. This phase was updated on February 26 and now includes:
- People age 60 or older
- Frontline essential agricultural and grocery store workers
- People age 16-59 with two or more high-risk conditions; defined as patients who are currently receiving treatment or have received treatment within the last month for cancer), chronic kidney disease, COPD, diabetes mellitus (types 1 and 2), Down syndrome, specific heart conditions (heart failure, cardiomyopathies or coronary heart disease, and severe valvular/congenital heart disease), obesity (BMI ≥ 30kg/m^2), pregnancy, sickle cell disease, solid organ transplant, individuals with disabilities who require direct care in their home, and people with disabilities that prevent them from wearing masks. Individuals who qualify should indicate this as their reason on their interest form; documentation of conditions is not required.
In addition to Mesa County Public Health, other providers in our community are offering appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations. Local provider information is updated periodically on the provider information page of our website.
If you are unable to complete the interest form online call 970-248-6900. Press Option 7, and leave a callback number. Individuals who are more comfortable communicating in Spanish should call the Mesa County Public Health Spanish-language line at 970-255-3700.
Stay up to date by visiting health.mesacounty.us.