Navajo County will be utilizing the Moderna vaccine to be administered to residents over the age of 16 in a two-dose process. Both doses will be given in the deltoid (shoulder) muscle and will take place 28 days apart. According to the Federal Drug Administration, the Moderna vaccine was shown to be over 94 percent effective on average and have 100 percent efficacy in a study group of participants aged 65 or older. FDA reports that overall the most frequently reported adverse event was pain at the injection site. This is a common side effect of many vaccines and was mostly reported by older recipients. Some also reported fatigue, headache and low grade fever. All at levels far below 15 percent in any age group. Distribution will continue and according to the Navajo County Public Health Services dashboard, it will be a three phase approach. Phase 1A is happening now and includes health care practitioners, long-term care facilities staff and residents and the vulnerable population congregate living in shelters, and behavioral health facility staff and residents. Phase 1B will follow and likely take place in the next few weeks and into the spring of 2021. That will include public safety employees including corrections facilities staff, teachers and educational facility staff, power and utility employees, food and agriculture occupations and other essential/critical industry staff. Phase 1C vaccinates the elderly and high risk populations. According to the plan, the general population can expect to begin receiving the vaccine in the spring and into the summer. The Navajo County COVID dashboard which hosts an appointment button can be found at www.navajocountyaz.gov by clicking on the COVID-19 resources page icon.
