Beginning today, March 4, Fargo Cass Public Health (FCPH) will invite preschool and K-12 school workers to COVID-19 vaccine clinics. According to the North Dakota COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, this is the final priority group in Phase 1B and includes workers employed by preschools or Kindergarten through 12th grade (teachers, nutritional services, aides, bus drivers, principals, administrative staff, custodians, etc.). Because preschool and K-12 settings may already have a vaccination plan in place for employees, individuals who work in these settings are strongly encouraged to check with their employer for that information prior to contacting FCPH for a vaccine appointment.
“We’ve had great success in filling appointments in our vaccine clinics. That, combined with an increase in the amount of vaccine we have received, has allowed us to transition quickly through the last priority groups in Phase 1B,” says Suzanne Schaefer, FCPH Director of Nursing.
FCPH also continues to provide vaccine for individuals in Phase 1A as well as other eligible priority groups in Phase 1B. Information about vaccine availability through FCPH will continue to be communicated through local media, the FCPH website FargoCassPublicHealth.com and social media channels.
Residents should continue practicing recommended public health prevention measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. These measures include wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, avoiding large gatherings, good hand hygiene and staying home when sick. Residents are also encouraged to rely on credible sources for reliable information about COVID-19 vaccine. Both the North Dakota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide information on this important topic.