In allocating vaccines, the North Dakota Department of Health distributes vaccines first to the large health systems, including Sanford and Essentia, then to public health units, followed by retail pharmacies, said Monte Roemmich, a Sanford pharmacy manager.
“As soon as we know vaccine is coming in, we work on scheduling, setting up appointments,” he said.
Minnesota follows a different method, allocating vaccines through eight coalitions located throughout the state. The three distribution channels in North Dakota a rotation between health systems, public health units and pharmacies aren’t as evident in Minnesota, Hanson said.
Within the Essentia system, rural clinics lag a week behind Fargo in receiving vaccines, unless communities have a hospital, in which case they are on par with larger communities, Hanson said. Minnesota is about two weeks behind North Dakota, she said.
Herd immunity on the horizon? Over 60% of North Dakotans may have had COVID-19
A research team at Columbia University believes only 20% of COVID-19 infections are confirmed by testing suggesting that more than 60% of North Dakotans already have been infected. If true, that means the state is approaching herd immunity. Written By: Patrick Springer | ×
Nurse Bethany Schulz gives a COVID-19 vaccination to Jean Beilke on Jan. 14 at Sanford Broadway Clinic in Fargo. Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor
FARGO North Dakota could be well on the way to herd immunity against the coronavirus as researchers at Columbia University believe more than 60% of residents already have been infected.
Vaccine supply is low, but North Dakota taking care of shots sfgate.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sfgate.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.