La Plata County Public Health Department currently accepts most insurance companies
The La Plata County Public Health Department offers RSV, COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. (Robert F. Bucati/Related Press Files)
Respiratory virus season is here again, and the La Plata County Public Health Department is reminding residents to take advantage of low-cost or free vaccinations.
Our department administers the annual influenza vaccine, the latest coronavirus vaccine, and RSV vaccinations.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and LPCPH, pregnant women, infants, some children, and adults over age 60 should receive the RSV vaccine to prevent serious illness. According to CDC recommendations, adults only need one dose of the vaccine, but the duration of protection from vaccination for mothers and infants is different.
LPCPH spokesman Todd Macon said the consensus is that the latest COVID-19 vaccines should be considered similar to the flu shot given each fall. Anyone who hasn’t received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past two months is eligible, but those who have recently been infected may consider waiting up to three months as they are not at high risk.
Patients can receive all three vaccines on the same day.
The county public health department, only one year after the dissolution of the San Juan Basin Public Health Department, currently has contracts with most major insurance companies.
“Because we have insurance now…[vaccination]is covered. Even if it’s not covered by insurance, we can make sure that underinsured and uninsured people get vaccinated. We also have programs in place to help people get vaccinated,” Macon said.
The number of reported COVID-19 hospitalizations has remained low throughout the year, but outbreaks in high-risk settings were occurring weekly through August, according to the LPCPH data dashboard.
Free COVID-19 testing is available at covidtests.gov. Vaccine appointments are available Monday through Thursday and can be made by calling 247-5702.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
Copy article link
