Karen Newman
“There is still confusion about the Covid Booster Vaccine and the Third Dose Vaccine,” Clay County Public Health (CCPH) Administrator Kathy McKay explained as CCPH staff met with the Clay County Commission on September 21. “The Third Dose Vaccine is for the immuno-suppressed people that often are failing to reach the full level of immunity. By giving the third dose, it will hopefully boost that.”
McKay explained that significantly immuno-suppressed individuals who qualify for the Third Dose Vaccine include those undergoing cancer treatment, stem cell recipients and people who take long-term medications for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or HIV. CCPH will not be providing the Third Dose Vaccine because the individuals eligible to receive it are required to go through their health care provider for access.
McKay reported that the White House set an original date for public access to the Covid Booster doses in mid-September. The Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Disease Control revised that timeline due to the need to obtain more data. She said, “At this time, individuals over the age of 65 and those with significant health conditions would qualify for the booster dose. More information should be coming soon.”
McKay reports many requests statewide for secure and easily accessible means to obtain vaccine records, especially since the Covid pandemic. Responding to consumer demand, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDOH) now provides a mobile app, known as the Docket app, for Android or Apple devices, to quickly obtain Minnesota personal vaccine records. According to the MDOH website at https://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2021/docket091521.html:
Minnesotans can now easily access their immunization record through their smartphones or other mobile devices by using an app called Docket. Docket enables residents with a Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) record to securely view and share their immunization records. MIIC, Minnesota’s immunization information system, combines all immunizations a person has received into a single record, even if they were given by different health care providers in Minnesota. Starting today, anyone who has a MIIC record can use the Docket app to access their record, including their COVID-19 vaccination. The app provides a PDF document of the immunization record that can be saved to your mobile device, printed, emailed, or texted as needed.
Clay County Commissioner David Ebinger shared his experience with the Docket app, “I put it on my phone. It took about fifteen seconds. It’s a piece of cake! It gives you the MDOH pdf of all of your immunizations. It’s got every shot I’ve had since I moved to the state.”
CCPH Director of Nurses Jamie Hennen reminded the public that CCPH is willing to print or email immunization records for those who do not have access to the Docket app.
According to the CCPH website at https://claycountymn.gov/1597/Vaccination-Information:
Clay County residents who received a COVID-19 vaccine from an out of state pharmacy or the Fargo VA are asked to call our vaccine hotline at 218-299-7204 to let us know about your vaccine status. Clay County Public Health will ensure your vaccine is included in the Minnesota Vaccine Registry.
The next CCPH Covid vaccine clinic will be held at the Family Service Center (FSC) in Moorhead, located at 715 11th Street North, on Thursday September 23 from 1:30-5 pm for Pfizer Covid Vaccine for individuals aged 12 and older. Moderna vaccine will be available at that time as well. The Moderna vaccine dose is for individuals 18 and over. Online registration is available at https://claycountymn.gov/1597/Vaccination-Information. Registration is also available at the door. Covid vaccines administered by CCPH are free.