Karen Newman
Clay County Public Health (CCPH) has all three Covid vaccines available on September 30 at the Family Service Center (FSC). CCPH has first and second doses of Pfizer vaccine for ages 12 and over. First and second doses of Moderna are available for ages 18 and over. Single-dose Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) COVID vaccines are available. Vaccinations are by appointment only.
The FSC is located at 715 11th St. N in Moorhead. The vaccination clinic runs from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on September 30th in FSC’s Suite 105. Registrations are required. Online registration is available at https://claycountymn.gov/1597/Vaccination-Information. Call 218-299-7204 for more information or to register.
At their September 28 meeting, Kathy McKay, CCPH Administrator, informed the Clay County Commission that booster doses are not available at this time. She added that the Minnesota Department of Health is meeting this week to establish guidelines for rolling out the booster shots and defining the role that public health will play in that process.
As the board and CCPH staff discussed the ongoing Covid pandemic, Kevin Campbell expressed concern about pediatric cases, “We knew that the 15–19-year-olds [cases] awhile back were higher. My question is aimed more at the younger ones. When I see 0-4 and the five-year-olds, that’s the number that I am concerned about. I see where that’s going.” He went on to point out that there were very few cases in those age groups in the early Covid information.
CCPH Environmental Health Specialist Becky Schmidt affirmed Campbell’s concern about cases in very young children, “The majority that we are seeing now are recently reported cases.”
Commissioner David Ebinger asked, “Is the Delta Variant why we are seeing more impact with kids?” McKay affirmed that Ebinger’s question was accurate.
Commissioner Jenny Mongeau asked whether there was data available about the percentage of vaccinated Clay County staff which numbers over 600 individuals. When told that this data is not available, she continued, “I think it’s important that we get a good handle on what our estimate of staff vaccination is as we talk about what policies should look like.”
Mongeau advised the commission that in the committee meetings that she attends representing Clay County, significant shortages of testing supplies for weekly staff testing are being reported. Kathy McKay replied that she has ordered rapid testing materials for county employees but supplies are limited. She warned, “We are really in need of rapid tests in Clay County.
According to CCPH Director of Nursing Jamie Hennen, the Cass County Public Health Department offers rapid Covid testing to residents of Minnesota and North Dakota. However, there is a danger that the ND testing site may be overwhelmed due to lack of rapid testing availability in Clay County. McKay urges Clay County citizens who receive a positive test result through testing in ND to contact CCPH so that contact tracing can be carried out. Seven new staff members are being trained to work with contact tracing.
Saliva tests (results available in 48-72 hours via email) are administered locally at 1110 South 14th Street in Moorhead. They offer the tests Monday-Thursday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. It is available to residents of North Dakota and Minnesota.
Hennen announced that CCPH received the protocols for administering flu shots and sent them on to their medical director for approval. The flu shot schedule will be announced when plans are finalized.
McKay emphasized that CCPH will be especially busy in coming months due to Moderna and Johnson and Johnson completing research for booster shots, the Pfizer booster shot, vaccines for younger children and flu shots. “There is plenty of vaccine available,” said McKay. “We need manpower.”