10.4.2021

Testing:

At this time, Kidder County District Health Unit will provide COVID-19 testing on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesdays from 2-3pm as staffing allows. Please call 475-2582 to set up an appointment and to ensure a nurse is available to test. You will need to pre-register at testreg.nd.gov prior to your arrival. We ask you stay in your vehicle to be tested. We do BinaxNOW rapid tests if you are symptomatic – it takes 15 minutes to process so we ask you wait in your vehicle until resulted. If negative, we complete a PCR throat swab and send to the state lab for testing. Those results can take a couple days, depending on lab capacity.

Vaccines:

We have our weekly COVID-19 vaccine clinics at the Steele Ambulance Hall on Thursdays from 3-4pm. We have Pfizer and Moderna vaccine available. Pre-registration is appreciated but walk-ins are welcome. We will also offer COVID-19 vaccine at our non-Steele Flu Vaccine clinics on Tuesdays in October – call for the schedule, follow us on Facebook, or see flyers hanging around town for dates/times.

Additional dose vs Booster dose:

Currently we can give additional doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccine to those with severe immunocompromising conditions (organ transplant, current chemo, etc) at least 28 days after the 2nd dose of the primary series. These have been authorized for individuals who likely did not mount a large immune response in the first place due to the immunocompromising condition.

Booster doses are for those who mounted an initial immune response, but over time this has decreased. Booster doses have been authorized for adults who received Pfizer as a primary series AND meet one or more of the following criteria:

-aged 65 or older

-have one or more underlying health conditions

-work in a high-risk job

This booster dose can be received starting 6 months after the 2nd shot.

So far, Pfizer is the only brand of COVID-19 vaccine authorized for booster doses – VRBPAC (Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee) meets mid-October to discuss Moderna and JJ booster doses. They meet the end of October to meet about Pfizer doses in the pediatric population ages 5-11. Once VRBPAC produces a recommendation, the FDA reviews it and makes their recommendations, then the CDC advises, and finally ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) places their guidance. It is a lengthy process involving many independent boards to ensure safety and effectiveness based on actual data.

If you have questions on any services or need us for anything – reach out to us at 475-2582. We’d love to hear from you.