North Dakota has been selected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as one of four states to be part of a pilot project to plan for a COVID-19 vaccination program.
“North Dakota was selected because of the strength of our immunization program,” said NDDoH Immunization Program Manager Molly Howell. “Our teams have been working for weeks on a plan and we’re thrilled to supplement that work with this partnership with the CDC and the Department of Defense to plan and prepare for the COVID-19 vaccination response in North Dakota. Planning with North Dakota and other pilot sites will inform and support other states planning for coronavirus vaccine.”
In addition, the CDC is interested in exploring strategies to reach American Indian populations and help determine opportunities as it relates to vaccine planning and distribution.
When a vaccine becomes available, the federal government will provide general guidance on how to prioritize and distribute the vaccine. Howell said her team and other partners will take that broad guidance and implement it in North Dakota.
“This is an amazing opportunity for North Dakota residents to be protected and to help define best practices for quality care for our state and the rest of the nation. I encourage everyone who is eligible for this opportunity to get the vaccination to protect themselves, their loved ones and our communities and help demonstrate how North Dakota can work together to care for all,” stated Michelle Lauckner, RN, BA – Quality Improvement Advisor with the Great Plains Quality Innovation Network.
Meetings kick off this week in Bismarck. For more information on COVID-19 and efforts in North Dakota, visit health.nd.gov/coronavirus.