Public Health reminders and information

Carter County Public Health would like to remind residents who are on life support systems such as oxygen support to have an emergency plan for times such as a power outage. Individuals on an oxygen support system that would like to have their name added to the list in the event of power outage are asked to call Southeast Electric Cooperative at 406-775-8762 or Carter County Public Health 406-775-6332. Information is kept confidential and only used for the purposes of emergency or health and safety.

Carter County is currently experiencing increased testing and active cases of COVID-19. All who would like to receive a vaccine or have questions related to this topic are welcome to call the department at 406-775-6332. Employees are happy to answer questions as best they can and schedule any appointments.

The public health department has also received calls about questions concerning an additional or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The department would like to share recent changes to the CDC’s recommendations. On August 16 the CDC released an updated recommendation. Public health encourages individuals to talk to their healthcare provider about their medical or health status, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.

The CDC now recommends that people whose immune systems are compromised moderately to severely should receive an additional dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial two doses. The CDC’s statement can be read at the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0813-additional-mRNA-mrna-dose.html .

Excerpt of CDC’s recommendation:

Currently, CDC is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose. This includes people who have:

• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood

• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system

• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system

• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)

• Advanced or untreated HIV infection

• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response.

While people who are immunocompromised make up about 3 percent of the U.S. adult population, they are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness. Included in CDC’s recommendation are people with a range of conditions, such as recipients of organ or stem cell transplants, people with advanced or untreated HIV infection, active recipients of treatment for cancer, people who are taking some medications that weaken the immune system, and others. A full list of conditions can be found on CDC’s website.

The additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should be the same vaccine as the initial series and administered at least four weeks after completing a primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series. While vaccination is likely to increase protection in this population, even after vaccination, people who are immunocompromised should continue follow current prevention measures (including wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others they do not live with, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces) to protect themselves and those around them against COVID-19 until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider. CDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time.

Be well Carter County!

Carter County Public Health

Ekalaka, MT 59324

406.775.6332