FAIRMONT — Progress continues on the local COVID-19 vaccination effort according to information provided by Tim Langer, Public Health Sanitarian, of Community Health & Human Services of Faribault and Martin Counties. In a joint release from public health services, Mayo Health System of Fairmont, United Hospital District of Blue Earth, Dulcimer Medical Center, County Emergency Management, and the South Central Health Care Coalition, it was stated that as of Feb. 20, 2021, 2,773 Martin County individuals have received at least their first vaccination for COVID-19. 12 percent of the Martin County population has received at least 1 dose. 34.7 percent of the population of people age 65 and older have received vaccinations.

In Faribault County, 1,848 individuals have received at least their first vaccination for COVID-19. 12 percent of the total population has received at least 1 dose, and 33 percent of the population of people age 65 and older have received their vaccinations.

Like so many other happenings across the country, local vaccination efforts were hindered by recent winter weather. According to the released document, Community Health & Human Services did not receive any vaccine last week as a result of the winter weather situation impacting the southern half of the U.S. where vaccine storage facilities are located. All appointments for last week are being rescheduled for this week.

However, Mayo Clinic Health System Fairmont received 354 1st dose allocation last week. The United Hospital District did not receive any vaccine last week as a result of the winter weather situation impacting the southern half of the U.S. where vaccine storage facilities are located. All appointments for last week are being rescheduled for this week. Dulcimer Medical Center was not scheduled to receive any doses last week.

For the current week following Feb. 20, Community Health & Human Services was scheduled to receive 100 first doses. The 100 doses are allocated specifically to E-12/childcare sector. The agency will also receive the 200 first doses that were due to arrive in the previous week, 100 for the E-12/childcare sectors and 100 for the 1A priority population and 65 and older population.

Mayo Clinic Health System Fairmont was scheduled to receive 420 1st doses for this week for the 75 and older population. MCHS-Fairmont will reach out to patients when it’s time to schedule an appointment. Appointments fill up quickly as vaccine supply continues to be extremely limited.

United Hospital District is scheduled to receive 100 first doses this week for the 65 and older population. UHD will also reach out to patients when it’s time to schedule an appointment. UDH will receive the 100 doses they were scheduled to receive last week and will be making appointments this week.

Finally, Dulcimer Medical Center is scheduled to receive 100 first doses this week for the 65 and older population. Dulcimer will also reach out to patients when it’s time to schedule an appointment.

Community Health & Human Services will be reaching out to individuals who submitted interest on the COVID-19 vaccine survey who are over age 65 and in the order in which they were submitted and as the vaccine is available to their agency. Individuals interested in receiving a vaccine can enter their contact information at the following link to be added to their list by going to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VaxsurveyFM or calling their office at 507-238-4757 and requesting to be added to the vaccine interest list.