Mesa County offers drive-through and community vaccine clinics

Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) is putting up vaccine clinics to help residents get their COVID-19 and flu shots. The clinics are open to anyone who needs a vaccine, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. MCPH aims to make vaccines accessible and convenient for the community.

Drive-through flu vaccine clinic on Saturday

On Saturday, October 7, MCPH will host a drive-through flu vaccine clinic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Mesa County Community Services Building at 510 29 1/2 Road. No appointment is needed for this event. People can simply drive up and get their flu shot without leaving their car. MCPH encourages everyone to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible to protect themselves and others from the seasonal virus.

According to MCPH, flu vaccines are especially important this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Flu and COVID-19 can have similar symptoms and complications, and co-infection can increase the risk of severe illness and hospitalization. Getting a flu vaccine can reduce the burden on the health care system and free up resources for COVID-19 patients.

Community COVID-19 vaccine clinics on November 13 and 18

MCPH will also offer two community COVID-19 vaccine clinics in November. The first one will be on Saturday, November 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grand Junction Convention Center. The second one will be on Thursday, November 18, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Fruita Community Center. These clinics are open to anyone who needs a COVID-19 vaccine, whether it is their first, second, or booster dose.

MCPH offers all three types of COVID-19 vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. People can choose which vaccine they prefer at the clinic. MCPH also follows the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on who is eligible for a booster dose. Currently, booster doses are recommended for people who received Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at least six months ago and belong to one of the following groups:

• 65 years and older
• 18 years and older with underlying medical conditions
• 18 years and older who live or work in high-risk settings

MCPH advises people to bring their vaccination card and a photo ID to the clinic. Appointments are not required, but people can pre-register online at MCPH website to save time. MCPH urges everyone to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to prevent serious illness and death from the virus.

Other vaccine services available at MCPH clinic

In addition to the drive-through and community vaccine clinics, MCPH also provides vaccine services at its public health clinic located at 510 29 1/2 Road. The clinic is open from Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to noon. People can call 970-248-6900 to make an appointment for any vaccine they need, including COVID-19, flu, school-entry, and travel vaccines. MCPH offers a variety of vaccines to protect people of all ages from different diseases.

MCPH accepts all major insurance plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children’s Health Insurance Plan. It also has programs for those without insurance. MCPH aims to provide quality, confidential, and affordable health care to the community. People can visit the MCPH website to learn more about the vaccine services and the notice of privacy practices.