COVID-19 vaccines available in county to high-risk group

OTHELLO - Othello Community Hospital received their first doses of the Moderna vaccine last week and started providing vaccines to people in the designated 1A group on Dec. 24 and 25.

The 1A group consists of high-risk workers in health care settings; high risk first responders; and residents and staff of nursing homes, assisted living facilities or other community-based congregate living settings where most individuals over 65 years of age are receiving care, supervision or assistance.

Adams County Health Department spokesperson Karen Potts said people in the 1A group can call the Othello Community Hospital and make reservations to receive a vaccine at this time.

Potts said Dr. Alexander Breazny, health officer for Adams and Grant counties, said on Dec. 28 he estimated it would be mid-January before the state would release a definition of who is in the 1B group, the next group to be able to receive the vaccine.

Potts reported East Adams Rural Hospital is expecting to receive their first batch of the vaccine this week, and will begin vaccinating their staff as soon as they receive it.

“They will be receiving enough vaccines for more than just their staff members, so it will be available to others in the 1A group,” Potts said. “People can call and set up appointments at East Adams to receive the vaccines.”

Potts said the vaccine is delivered free of charge from the federal government to the states, who then distribute it to the counties free of charge. Potts said while fees can’t be charged for the vaccine itself, there are often administration fees charged by health care facilities to give the vaccine to individuals.