Tribal Health offering Covid vaccinations for children

by Lake County Leader
| November 9, 2021 11:40 AM

The Tribal Health Department of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes is offering COVID-19 vaccinations recently recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for all children age 5 and older.

The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that all eligible children ages 5 and older get immunized against COVID-19 as soon as they can. At this time, the Pfizer vaccine is the only option currently authorized for children. It was found to give kids strong protection against COVID-19, including against the Delta variant.

Tribal Health began offering the vaccinations Monday to all children ages 5-11, tribal and nontribal.

Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and will need a signed consent form from a parent or legal guardian to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

COVID vaccination appointments can be made online at www.mtreadyclinic.org. Search for appointments using keywords “Arlee,” “KwaTaqNuk” or “Ronan.”

COVID Vaccination Clinics will be held at the following locations and times:

KwaTaqNuk, Polson: 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays (age 5 and older)
Arlee Fitness Center: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays (age 5 and older)
Ronan Health Center: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays (ages 5 to 11 only)

For parents and care providers who have children that may require additional support for their vaccinations, visit www.mtreadyclinic.org and search Ronan, or call Tribal Health at 406-745-3525 to make an appointment at the Ronan Health Center.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins will not be turned away.

COVID-19 vaccinations and other vaccinations (such as influenza, pneumonia, etc.) can now be administered simultaneously.

Tribal Health also recently began administering COVID-19 booster shots for certain eligible groups.

For individuals who received a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at six months or more after their initial series: those at 65 years and older; age 18 and older who live in long-term care settings; age 18 and older who have underlying medical conditions; age 18 and older who work or live in high-risk settings (such as health care workers, teachers, grocery store workers).

For individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.

Booster shots are available without appointment from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Tribal Health Pharmacies, 5 Fourth Ave. E. in Polson and 35401 Mission Drive in St. Ignatius.

Shots also are available by appointment from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at the Arlee Community Center, 34086 Pow Wow Road; and by appointment from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at KwaTaqNuk Resort and Casino, 49708 Highway 93 in Polson.

Visit www.cskthealth.org for additional information.