SAN LUIS VALLEY- COVID-19 vaccine supplies are still somewhat unpredictable, and supply is lower than demand at this time. Please be patient with local vaccine providers as they work to provide vaccine to those who are eligible as quickly as they are able. It will take several weeks for those who are currently eligible to receive it. Right now, people age 65 and above, healthcare workers, first responders, and certain educators are eligible for the vaccine.
Avoiding waste is important. Once a vial of vaccine is thawed and prepared, there is a short window of time when it can be used. Vaccination appointments are scheduled so that the number of appointments matches with the number of doses prepared. Community members can help. Please keep your appointment. If you cannot make it for some reason, please cancel your appointment as early as possible, so someone else can take your place and we can avoid potential waste of the vaccine. Plan to get your second dose at the same place where you received your first dose. There is no cost for the vaccine.
It is not possible to get COVID-19 from the vaccine. You may have mild side effects like pain in your arm, fatigue, headache, or a low-grade fever. Those are signs that your immune system is responding to the vaccine, especially after the second dose. They are temporary and should resolve within a couple of days.
Vaccines currently in use are about 95% effective at preventing COVID-19 illness, which is extraordinarily effective. However, it is not 100%. It is still possible to get COVID-19 even after vaccination, although the risk is much, much lower. Community spread of the virus in our community is still significant. It is still wise to continue to wear a mask in indoor public spaces and maintain social distancing for now.
There are currently 106 known active cases of COVID-19 in the San Luis Valley. County-specific case counts are listed below, along with what each county is in on the Dial.
Alamosa County - 65 - Yellow
Conejos County -10 - Yellow
Costilla County - 2 - Yellow
Mineral County - 0 - Yellow
Rio Grande County - 25 - Yellow
Saguache County - 4 - Blue
Public Health agencies are working through schools and employers to cover preK-12 educators who are currently eligible for vaccine. Valley Wide Health Systems, hospitals, and other vaccine providers are primarily focused on those who are age 65 and older at this time.
COVID-19 VACCINE PROVIDERS
Individuals who are interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine may call or sign up online with one of the providers below.
Valley Wide Health Systems - (719) 587-9610 or https://vwhs.org/for-patients/coronavirus-updates/
Rio Grande Hospital - (719) 657-2418 or https://riograndehospital.org/
SLV Health - (719) 587-1355 or https://www.sanluisvalleyhealth.org/coronavirus-information/covid-19-vaccine-registration/
Alamosa County Public Health - (719) 589-6639 or www.alamosacounty.org
Conejos County Public Health - 719-274-4307 or online form
Costilla County Public Health - (719) 672-3332 or https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/costillacounty
Silver Thread Public Health - (719) 658-2416 or http://www.silverthreadpublichealth.org
Rio Grande County Public Health - (719) 657-3352 or https://www.riograndecounty.org/public-health
Saguache County Public Health - 719-655-2533 or https://www.saguachecounty.net/index.php/public-health-home
Walmart Pharmacy - www.Walmart.com/COVIDvaccine
TESTING
To pursue testing for COVID-19 through our regular testing providers call:
Rio Grande Hospital 719-657-4990
SLVHealth Respiratory Clinic 719-589-3000 ext. 9
Valley-Wide Health Systems 719-589-3658 ext. 4 (M-F), 719-589-2562 (Sa/Su)