Dickinson County Public Health (DCPH) has been vaccinating the community against COVID-19, administering roughly 3,300 doses at last count. Lakes Regional Healthcare Director of Population and Public Health Katy Burke said most of the vaccinated individuals have been the county’s most vulnerable residents based on a combination of their age and health conditions. DCPH wants to ensure this population is given the opportunity to receive the vaccine before they move on to vaccinating others.
For this reason, DCPH will be holding vaccination clinics the week of March 8 for people who meet three criteria:
- Dickinson County resident
- Age 75 or older
- Have not received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose
Those meeting the criteria above are encouraged to call DCPH at 712-339-6050 anytime between 1:00 pm on Wednesday, March 3 and 4:30 pm on Friday, March 5 to schedule a vaccination appointment.
Burke said, “Thousands of people completed the online questionnaire and we’ve reached out to those who submitted one who are 75 and older. However, not everyone called us back or responded to our email, and we want to make sure they get the vaccination now before we move on to other populations.”
DCPH receives 300 doses each week and administers them as quickly as they are received. Lakes Regional Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Jeremy Bolluyt, DO, said, “We have been diligent about approaching vaccine administration in a thoughtful and responsible way, which has meant our most vulnerable residents have received the vaccine, but that others in Phase 1B, Tier 1 have not yet received it. For this reason, we especially want to thank our local school districts and administrations. Not only have they been patient and understanding during this process, it is because of their efforts that the infection rates of their students and employees have been so low while they’ve maintained face to face learning throughout the school year.”
To stay updated on COVID-19 vaccination in Dickinson County, please follow Lakes Regional Healthcare online at www.lakeshealth.org, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
