Second COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Lincoln goes smoothly

Lincoln's second drive-through COVID-19 vaccination clinic saw about 100 people show up to receive a dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Lewis and Clark County Public Health opened their vaccination clinics to all Phase 1b eligible individual in the county, which includes anyone older than 70 years old, or anyone between the ages of 16 and 69 with medical conditions that make them high risk for COVID-19.

Friday's clinic at Lincoln Public Schools, provided second doses for individuals who took part in the Feb. 5 clinic held at Lincoln Fire Station 4, as well first doses to other eligible Phase 1b patients.

PureView Health Center CEO Jill Steeley said they'd maintained the second doses for people who'd received vaccinations at the earlier clinic and waited to see if they would have enough for first doses for members of the larger Phase 1B group who might take part here. She said they determined Monday they would be able to bring some 300 doses for the expanded clinic here.

Steeley said they'll hold future clinics at the school, where they can take advantage of the larger parking lot both for the drive-through lanes and for space to give vaccine recipients a parking area to wait for 15 minutes for any possible immediate side effects to emerge. Adequate space proved to be an issue during the first clinic held at the Lincoln Rural Fire District property on Stemple Pass Road..

"It definitely works out better," she said.

During that first clinic, a snowstorm also delayed the arrival of the Care Van carrying the vaccines and equipment, but this time steeley said the trip from Helena went well.

"It was icy, but we had to give it enough time to go slow," Steely said.

Following the clinic in Lincoln, the group headed out for a clinic in Augusta.

Unlike the clinics in Helena, Steeley said the county hasn't required appointments for those in the outlying communities, due to the smaller populations.

In the last month, Montana has emerged as one of the most eficint states in the country for COVID-19 vaccinations, ranking 8th in the nation, with more than 300,000 doses delivered to the state and more than 250,000 doses administered to residents.

Statewide, cases have also been on the decline, with the number of new daily cases in February at their lowest levels since September.

Lewis and Clark County has also seen a noticeable drop in cases, but the two-week average of cases still hadn't dropped low enough to further ease restrictions put in place by the Lewis and Clark City-County Board of Health.

Steeley said it remains important for people to continue adhering to the protective guidelines, including mask wearing, hand washing and maintaining social distancing.