San Juan Basin Public Health has announced multiple COVID-19 vaccine clinics Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in La Plata County and Thursday in Archuleta County.
The health department has scheduled clinics for residents to receive the Pfizer vaccine and urges all residents to receive vaccinations as soon as possible.
Walk-ins are welcome for people who need extra flexibility. All residents age 16 and older are eligible for the vaccine. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds are eligible only for the Pfizer vaccine, and a parent or guardian must accompany them. SJBPH recommends getting a first dose as soon as possible, as it can take five weeks or more after the first dose to reach full protection with the Pfizer vaccine.
“If you’ve been putting off getting vaccinated, now is the time. It’s never been easier or more convenient to get the COVID vaccine,” said SJBPH Executive Director Liane Jollon. “The summer tourism season is approaching, and we still have COVID spreading in the community, primarily in the unvaccinated population. We’ve made good progress so far on vaccine, but for a safe return to normalcy, we need a lot more of the community to get vaccinated ASAP. The lifesaving vaccines are highly effective, safe and the best way to protect yourself and your family.”
Community vaccination clinics will take place from 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Friday at La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave., and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the fairgrounds. A clinic will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday at Ross Aragon Community Center, 451 Hot Springs Blvd., Pagosa Springs.
The expansion of vaccine clinic opportunities comes as both La Plata and Archuleta counties surpass respective milestones in their vaccination rates.
Eighty-seven percent of La Plata County residents age 70 and older have received at least one vaccine dose and 82% are fully vaccinated. Sixty percent of residents age 16 and older have received at least one dose and 48% are fully vaccinated.
Archuleta County shows slightly lower numbers, but is still above state and national averages. Seventy-six percent of Archuleta County residents age 70 and older have received at least one vaccine dose and 73% are fully vaccinated. Fifty-two percent of residents age 16 and older have received at least one dose and 46% are fully vaccinated.
SJBPH emphasized that the next phase in vaccination comes with unique challenges in educating and turning out the population for the vaccine. SJBPH encourages residents to open a dialogue about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine with their unvaccinated family members and neighbors.
For more information and resources, visit www.sjbpublichealth.org/covid-19-vaccine.
dgladden@durangoherald.com
