Next vaccine distribution phase launches Tuesday in Flathead County

The Flathead City-County Health Department announced Thursday that staff will begin vaccinating individuals that fall within Phase 1B of the governor’s COVID-19 vaccination plan on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

The number of appointments available each week is dependent on how many vaccines become available, the health department noted in a press release. As it stands, availability is “very limited at this time,” and the health department is “unsure of how much vaccine will be shipped each week.”

Qualifying individuals will be vaccinated by appointment-only and due to limited vaccine availability, scheduling will also occur on a week-by-week basis. Health officials have asked that callers exercise patience because the call line, which can be reached at 406-751-8119, is experiencing “extremely high call volume.” Health Officer Joe Russell said the health department’s phone systems are “being inundated” and that it is “unlikely that you will reach a live person.”

Callers should leave a voicemail, detailing their name, date of birth and phone number, and health department personnel will return calls in the order they were received to schedule appointments based on vaccine allotment.

Staff have asked that callers leave only one voicemail and emphasized that the only people who should be calling at this time are those that qualify for immunization under either Phase 1A or 1B.

According to Gov. Greg Gianforte’s most recent plan, 1B is defined as persons ages 70 or older, American Indians or other people of color, and those with specific high-risk health conditions including cancer, chronic kidney disease, heart conditions and more.