SM County: Announcing Pfizer Vaccine Clinics for Ages 16+

23 Apr SM County: Announcing Pfizer Vaccine Clinics for Ages 16+

Clinics offered in Norwood on April 29 and Telluride on April 30. For more information about the Pfizer vaccine, go here. San Miguel Public Health will host a Pfizer vaccine Q&A for parents on Tuesday, April 27 at 6 p.m. on Zoom (Meeting ID: 875 7561 1213 Passcode: 819022).

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San Miguel County will be hosting Pfizer vaccine clinics for ages 16 and older in Norwood on Thursday, April 29, and in Telluride on Friday, April 30. At this time, the Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine authorized for use for people ages 16 and older to prevent COVID-19. The vaccine is administered in two doses, three weeks apart, injected into the arm muscle. Public Health highly recommends this vaccine for ages 16 and up to protect themselves at school, activities and camps.

The Norwood Pfizer vaccine clinic will be offered at Norwood Schools from 3-4 p.m. on Thursday, April 29, with a second dose clinic on Thursday, May 20. Registration is required in advance at https://bit.ly/3tZeT8N. The Telluride clinic will take place at the Telluride Intermediate School on Friday, April 30, from 3-5 p.m., with the second dose clinic on Friday, May 21. Registration is required at https://bit.ly/2QkrpkE. Parents and guardians will be required to consent for their children at the end of the online registration.

Vaccine recipients must be available for the second dose in order to receive the first, and there is no flexibility for vaccine dates and times. People who cannot commit to both dates should schedule at pharmacies outside of the county that offer the Pfizer vaccine.

Like Moderna, the Pfizer vaccine is an mRNA vaccine. When the vaccine is injected, mNRA (a strip of genetic material) enters a body’s cell and prompts the cell to build copies of spike proteins. These spike proteins are the bumps that protrude from the surface of the coronavirus particles. The body’s immune system then learns to spot these spike proteins and produce antibodies that block the virus from entering healthy cells in the future. These mRNA vaccines have not associated with any blood clots.

Studies show that vaccine recipients achieve immunity approximately two weeks after receiving the vaccine’s second dose, at an estimated 95% efficacy rate. Scientists are still learning about how long that immunity will last.

“We are thrilled to offer the Pfizer vaccine to our 16 and over population,” said Public Health Director Grace Franklin. “These clinics will provide a convenient way for the younger demographic to protect themselves and our community from COVID through a safe and effective vaccine.”

Public Health has confirmed two new positive cases of COVID-19 from test results received from April 20 through April 22. Of these cases, two are confirmed as non-residents and all actively contagious cases are currently in isolation.

As of release time today, there have been 863 total COVID cases among residents to date with 4 active cases.

To learn more about the county’s current COVID-19 metrics, please visit the County COVID-19 dashboard.

52-year-old female, non-resident, symptomatic, community
26-year-old female, non-resident, asymptomatic, community

Five Commitments of Containment:

Wear a mask
Maintain six feet of physical distance
Minimize group size
Wash hands frequently
Stay home when sick and get tested