First Covid-19 Vaccines Given in Valley City
The first COVID-19 vaccine was given in Valley City by City County Health District (CCHD) nurses. Another 70 doses were given last week. This first shipment of vaccine was given to front-line health care workers. Their second dose will be given in 28 days.
Sue Lloyd, Barnes County Emergency Manager, one of those receiving the vaccine stated, “I didn’t even feel it when the CCHD nurse gave me the shot. The vaccine is the road for all of us to get back on track and do the things we love to do, like see our friends and family! I’m glad I was one of the first in Barnes County to get the shot.”
There is no charge for the vaccine; it is totally free. The first vaccine will be available for prioritized workers who have an elevated risk of getting COVID-19, in
cluding staff at CCHD, CHI Mercy Health, Sanford Health, Essential Health, Emergency Responders (the ambulance team, the sheriff, police and dispatch) and Sheyenne Care Center staff.
High risk populations
will also be prioritized and will soon be vaccinated. This includes Sheyenne Care Center, Open Door, Legacy Place and Bridgeview.
The vaccines being given presently are from two different companies: Moderna (the
one given by CCHD) and Pfizer. They are both only approximately 50% effective after the first dose, which is why both require a second dose. With a second dose, both vaccines are about 95% effective.
Studies of the CO
VID-19 vaccines have measured if vaccinated people developed symptoms after being vaccinated, but have not measured if individuals can become infected. There is no way to identify, so far, how these vaccines affect the abil
ity to carry and transfer the disease without having symptoms. Therefore, it is still important to mask, maintain distancing, and wash your hands for 20 seconds even after getting the vaccine.