Makahs Leads in Vaccination NumbersThe Makah Tribe leads many other tribes and public health jurisdictions in having a very high percentage of our population vaccinated! As of January 19, 539 of Neah Bay's adult residents had received the first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine. Our goal is to vaccinate at least 800 adults in Neah Bay. Meeting our goal means 80% of our people will be protected against severe illness from COVID-19. The Makah Tribe and Sophie Trettevick Indian Health Center would use this information along with other metrics to evaluate if gatherings and visiting from non-residents would be safe. Phases Do Not Change Traveling and Visiting ProtocolsThe Makah COVID-19 Public Health Protocols allow the tribe to respond to local disease activity separately from disease activity happening elsewhere. Because the disease activity in Neah Bay is extremely low (no new COVID cases since November 23), we are currently in Phase 3 on the Makah Indian Reservation. Phase 3 means outdoor gatherings of any size are allowed, and indoor gatherings of 10 or less. The situation in many other places, including Forks and Port Angeles, is much higher, so the Traveling and Visiting Protocols are separate. As the vaccination efforts continue and we learn more about how the vaccine affects the virus's transmission, it is possible that Traveling and Visiting Restrictions may be re-evaluated. At this time, however, these protocols are one of our best tools for protecting Neah Bay's community from COVID. COVID VACCINE FAQ'S What brand of vaccine are we using? Moderna Who will get the vaccine from STIHC? All adults (18 and over) who live on or are employed on the Makah Indian Reservation who are registered as patients of Sophie Trettevick Indian Health Center. Do you need to get registered? Go here: https://www.stihc.org/patient-registration.html What about kids? Once vaccine trials are completed on those under 18, we will proceed with COVID vaccines for children and youth if recommended. What about Makah's who live off the reservation? We are working out a process for vaccinating Makah’s who live off the reservation and release more information as soon as possible. In the meantime, Makah’s who receive primary care from STIHC will be called by STIHC staff directly. Makah’s who life off the reservation who do not receive primary care from STIHC are advised to check first with their primary care provider for vaccine availability. Who will get vaccinated first? The first doses will be going to front-line health-care workers and support staff, and our tribal elders. After that, STIHC will reach out to the general community, prioritizing those with underlying health conditions and essential workers. Who should NOT get the vaccine? Anyone who has ever had an anaphylactic reaction to the ingredients in the COVID vaccine How is the vaccine administered? The vaccine is given through an injection in the upper arm (similar to the flu shot). Where can I get the vaccine? STIHC will do walk-through vaccine clinic – for eligible patients by appointment - at the Makah Community Gym on Wednesdays starting January 6th, 2021. How many shots do I need to get? The vaccine requires 2 doses, four weeks apart. Are there side effects of the vaccine? Yes, most people will experience side effects. Typical side effects of the vaccine are headache, muscle soreness and low-grade fever that last for 1-3 days. Will we still need to wear masks? Yes. The vaccine works to prevent the symptoms and progression to severe COVID-19 illness but we don’t know what impact the vaccine has on disease transmission. This means that even after vaccination we will still need to wear masks and do social distancing for several months until we have more information. Next Steps Clinic staff are making phone calls to schedule patients according to the vaccine priorities, our elders and those with underlying conditions. NEWS RELEASE | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | JANUARY 8, 2021Makah Tribal Council Approves to Move into Phase 3 Makah Tribal Council approved Health Order 01-21. We are moving into Phase 3 of the Makah COVID-19 Public Health Protocols effective January 8, 2021. There are no new cases of COVID-19 on the Makah Reservation since November 23, 2020, and there is no known community transmission. Protocols for Phase 3:
Additionally, the new Health Order allows the following individuals to access the Reservation without having proof of a negative COVID test:
There is no change in Traveling Protocols: Neah Bay residents who have close contact with individuals in High-Risk Areas must avoid close contact with anyone outside of their household group for 14 days afterward. JOIN US FOR PUBLIC MAKAH EOC MEETINGSWe invite the community to join the weekly EOC meetings. Meetings are held every Tuesday at 11:30 AM. Community members will be required to register before entering the meeting. To register, contact Erica Crittenden at 360-645-3207. Standing Agenda: 1. Updates from the Health Officer 2. Updates from the Incident Commander 3. Updates from the Operations Director Public Questions/Comments (2 minute limit per person) Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/99652017974 Meeting ID: 996 5201 7974 One tap mobile +12532158782,,99652017974# US (Tacoma) +13462487799,,99652017974# US (Houston) IF YOU ARE SICK, STAY AT HOME EXCEPT TO GET MEDICAL CARE
Stay home and stay away from others in your household, in a separate room, and using a different bathroom if possible. If you have to be around others, stay 6 feet away and wear a face mask or use a tissue to cover your cough/sneezes. Stay away from high-risk persons in your life (greater than 60 years old, have an underlying heart or lung or other medical conditions, or are pregnant). VERY IMPORTANT: If you are at high risk (greater than 60 years old, have underlying heart or lung conditions, diabetes or other immune compromising conditions, or are pregnant), please start monitoring your symptoms very closely. Call immediately if your fever is more significant than 100.4 or you are having shortness of breath. If you cough or sneeze, do it into a tissue and immediately dispose of the tissue (or wash if you have a handkerchief). Do not let other people handle your used tissues or handkerchiefs! If you don't have something to cough or sneeze into, use your elbow, but wash your clothes afterward. If you have mild symptoms (such as a cough, runny nose, or fever less than 102), you can most likely manage your symptoms at home. There are several supportive therapies you can do at home without seeing a doctor, such as:
If your symptoms worsen during business hours, call the clinic at 360-645-2233, and the medical staff will assist you. For the safety of other patients and our team, do not come directly to the clinic. Call first. If your symptoms worsen during After Hours, please call the Careline at 1-800-607-5501. If you suspect you have COVID-19 (fever and a cough), call the Clallam County Hotline at 1-360-417-2430 or the Washington State Department of Health Hotline 1-800-525-0127 and press #. If you are having an emergency (i.e., severe shortness of breath) at any time, call 911.
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Our Mission is to build positive, compassionate and effective partnerships with all STIHC patients, community members, guests and employees, and through these partnerships to provide excellent healthcare and wellness services.
Our Vision is that all members of the Makah Nation and the community of Neah Bay are healthy and thriving in wellness.
Our Vision is that all members of the Makah Nation and the community of Neah Bay are healthy and thriving in wellness.