The Grand Forks Department of Public Health and the Altru Health System have completed vaccinating the priority groups defined in Phase 1A under the North Dakota COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization Plan. Phase 1A included all healthcare professionals in direct patient care, first responders and residents, and long-term care staff.
Grand Forks, the Grand Forks Department of Public Health and the Altru Health System will partner to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to the general public in Grand Forks County. The effort now transitions to Phase 1B North Dakota Department of Health plan.
Community members who are 75 and older can call (701) 780-6358 to be placed on a vaccine waiting list.
Phase 1B includes individuals who meet the following criteria in the North Dakota COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization Plan (levels in order of priority):
● People aged 75 and over
● People aged 65 to 74 with two or more high-risk medical conditions
● Employees and people living in congregated environments, such as penitentiaries, homes, treatment centers, homeless shelters
● People aged 65 and over with one or more high-risk medical conditions
● People aged 65 and over with or without high-risk medical conditions
● People with two or more high-risk medical conditions, regardless of age
● Child care workers
● Workers employed by pre-school or kindergarten through 12th grade, including teachers, nutrition services, assistants, bus drivers, directors, administrative staff and janitors.
Due to the amount of vaccine allocated to North Dakota, the time required to vaccinate the population aged 75 and over can take several weeks, according to John Bernstrom, Grand Forks public information officer.
“Those who fall into the future levels of phase 1B and future phases should refrain from calling until we communicate that we are moving to the next level, which is 65-74 year olds with two or more high-risk medical conditions, “Bernstrom said in a press release.