Yellowstone County expands vaccine availability - Billings Gazette

Vials of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination clinic at St John’s United in Billings on Friday, Jan.

Highgate Senior Living resident Donna Stalkup, 65, receives a bandage after getting her first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from Great Falls Walgreens pharmacist Rose Kommers Wednesday in Billings.

Starting Monday, Yellowstone County residents who fall in Phase 1B of Montana's COVID-19 vaccine allocation plan can now schedule an appointment to get their first shot, according to the county's Unified Health Command.

The UHC is made up of RiverStone Health, Billings Clinic, St.

The county's public health department, RiverStone Health, is only scheduling vaccinations for "people 18 and older because it received the Moderna vaccine," according to the press release.

About 100 Moderna vaccine doses were distributed to RiverStone Health, while both Billings Clinic and St.

But the demand for the COVID-19 vaccines continues to outpace supply, said John Felton, Yellowstone County Public Health Officer and President and CEO of RiverStone Health in an interview with The Billings Gazette.

Today, RiverStone Health opened 90 appointment slots for its on-site vaccine clinic.

Those who receive the Pfizer vaccine should wait 21 days until receiving the second dose, while those who get the Moderna shot should wait about 28 days.

For example, if an individual receives a Moderna vaccine at RiverStone Health, they will be advised to make another appointment to get their second dose with RiverStone about 28 days later.

Many people in Phase 1A, including Billings Clinic employees, have received their second dose through the hospital.

Bush said he's excited to work with RiverStone Health and Billings Clinic to vaccinate more people in the county