Public Health Emerging Issues
May 12, 2021
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATE
- On May 10, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use in children ages 12-15.
- The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) needs to recommend use before Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) can offer appointments to this age group. The ACIP is meeting Wednesday, May 12, to make a recommendation on the vaccine’s use for this group.
- If recommended, individuals age 12-15 will be able to sign up for a vaccine on the MCPH website as early as Thursday, May 13, with appointments as soon as Saturday, May 15.
- Pfizer and its vaccine partner BioNTech have also applied for full FDA approval.
- The Community Vaccination Site (CVS) at the Grand Junction Convention Center will relocate to the MCPH building (510 29 1/2 Rd) on May 19. If you are getting your first Moderna or Pfizer vaccine dose this week, your second dose will be administered at MCPH.
- MCPH has partnered with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to bring a Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic to Mesa County.
- Vaccines are available at no-cost, without an appointment, and no ID or insurance is required at two remaining stops in Clifton this week. Click here to learn more.
- As of the week ending May 5, 47,844 first doses and 47,130 second doses have been administered in Mesa County for a total of 94,974 doses.
- Approximately 68% of individuals ages 70+ and 63% of those between the ages of 60-69 have received a first dose.
- Approximately 37% of the total Mesa County eligible population (16 years and older) is fully vaccinated, meaning they have received both doses in a two-dose series, or a single dose vaccine.
- A Vaccine Dashboard is updated weekly on the MCPH website.
- MCPH is working to make getting a COVID-19 vaccine as convenient as possible and offers evening and weekend appointments.
- If you are unable to complete scheduling online call 970-248-6900. Press Option 7. Individuals who are more comfortable communicating in Spanish should call the Mesa County Public Health Spanish-language line at 970-255-3700.
- The State of Colorado has set up a Vaccine Hotline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with answers to general vaccine questions available in multiple languages. Call 1-877-CO-VAX-CO (1-877-268-2926).