Tribal Health offering Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots

The Tribal Health Department of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes is offering Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots to eligible residents.

Per the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations, the following groups should receive a booster shot:

• People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care facilities at least six months after their Pfizer primary series.
• People aged 50-64 years with underlying medical conditions at least six months after their Pfizer primary series.
• Frontline healthcare workers at least six months after their Pfizer primary series.
• Teachers residing and teaching on the Flathead Reservation at least six months after their Pfizer primary series.

Although the CDC states the following groups may receive a vaccine, Tribal Health is not offering a booster shot to these patients, but plans to do so in the near future:

• People age 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions.
• People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting.

Some of the underlying medical conditions include: cancer, CKD, chronic lung disease, dementia/neurological conditions, diabetes, Down syndrome, heart conditions, HIV infection, immunocompromised, liver disease, overweight/obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell/Thalassemia, smoking, transplant recipients, stroke, CVD, substance use disorders.

Boosters for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have not been authorized. Tribal Health is not offering booster shots to patients that received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The booster shots offered at this time are only for those who completed the Pfizer vaccination primary series.

Tribal Health is offering the following vaccination clinics, which began Sept. 27:

• KwaTaqNuk Resort: 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays.
• Arlee Community Center: 2 to 6 p.m. Mondays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays.

Appointments should be scheduled for booster shots at mtreadyclinic.org or by calling Tribal Health at 406-745-3525.