Public Health Emerging Issues
March 31, 2021
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATE
- Beginning Friday, April 2, Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) will enter Phase 2 (the general public) of vaccine distribution. Eligible populations include all individuals 16 years and older as well as previously qualifying individuals.
- The intent of this classification is to vaccinate any individual who was not included in earlier phases because they have lower risk of exposure or are less likely to have severe outcomes from COVID-19.
- Appointments are required for COVID-19 vaccination, visit our website for vaccine scheduling links available in English and Spanish for an appointment as soon as the next day.
- This week, we are administering about 1,000 vaccine doses per day though we have enough vaccine to administer 1,500 doses per day. Our goal is to gradually increase operations and administer 6,000 doses per day.
- As of the week ending March 27, 40,378 first doses and 19,189 second doses have been administered in Mesa County for a total of 59,567 doses.
- We estimate approximately 64% of individuals age 70+ and 54% of those between the ages of 60-69 have received a first dose. Our community goal is 75% for these age groups as they are most at risk for severe outcomes related to COVID-19.
- Approximately 23% 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.
- It takes approximately two weeks for the vaccine to provide full protection.
- A Vaccine Dashboard is updated weekly on the Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) website.
- MCPH continues to operate a Community Vaccination Site located at the Grand Junction Convention Center at 159 Main St, Grand Junction, CO 81501.
- The largely volunteer-run effort uses 140-200 volunteers each day including 50 medical volunteers (vaccinators, draw nurses, observation) and hundreds of non-medical volunteers (navigators, data entry). If you would like to volunteer to help, sign up here.
- If you are unable to complete scheduling 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.
- 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).