Wyoming Vaccine Info and Scam Alert

Public health and hospitals began receiving shipments of federal COVID-19 vaccine in mid December and have administered more than 14,877 first doses of these vaccines in Wyoming to date. 

Meanwhile, the AARP FraudWatch Network wants to remind you that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is free and if anyone calls or emails you information seeking payment for a COVID-19 shot, it is likely a scam. Medicare and private insurance will pay medical professionals for giving you the vaccine so you should be prepared to present your health insurance card at the time of your appointment.

Where do I get up-to-date info? 

“Details on exactly where a county is with their progress through the priority group listings and specific vaccine availability and distribution information will largely be more available locally than from the state,” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH).

To help, WDH has developed a web page that lists information from each county on how and when to receive vaccine locally. Other information about COVID-19 vaccines in Wyoming can be found here.   

The state suggests website postings, media announcements, and information from employers and partner groups are among the ongoing communication activities expected to be used for updates on local vaccine availability. Overall state-level updates will also continue. 

See below for information from your county.   

Vaccine Rollout

Stephanie Pyle, WDH Public Health Division senior administrator, reports that as of January 12, Wyoming has received 25,775 doses of the vaccine and administered more than 14,877 first doses of the vaccine. Pyle adds the pace of vaccinations is quickly picking up and the number of vaccines distributed is higher because providers administering the vaccine have a 72-hour window to report when and to whom they have given the shot. Wyoming will continue to order and receive more vaccines over time.

In addition, CVS/Walgreens are providing vaccinations to staff and residents in many Wyoming long-term care facilities that enrolled in the federal Pharmacy Partners for Long-term Care Program. Vaccinations through this program are scheduled throughout January and are in addition to the other reported vaccines given in Wyoming.  Other vaccines not currently reported in the Wyoming numbers include those the federal government is providing  directly to tribes, the VA and to military bases.

Pyle reports some counties have moved from their list of 1A recipients to a 1B group, including Laramie County. Phase 1A populations in Wyoming include healthcare workers with regular potential for exposure to COVID-19 pa­tients or infectious materials; Residents and staff of long-term care facilities and residential care facilities for people with intellectual or developmental dis­abilities.

Wyoming’s Phase 1B population for vaccine prioritization includes people who are 70 years of age or older and front­line essential workers who must interact with the public and are unable to con­sistently physically distance from others.

County-by-County Public Health Information 

Albany County - Albany County is still working through the Phase 1a of vaccine distribution, which they believe may be completed this week or next. Phase 1b distribution for those age 70 and older may take place later in the month. The County will send out a mass mailer with information on how to set up an appointment. For the latest information, check out the county’s public health page here. 

Carbon County - Carbon County Public Health says it is getting close to offering vaccines to 1B populations, or those age 70 and over. It will distribute the vaccine at the Rawlins Senior Center Jan. 19 and Feb. 16 from 9 a.m.-noon. Vaccines will be available at the Saratoga Senior Center Jan. 21 and Feb. 18 from 9 a.m.-noon. The Encampment Senior Center will be served Jan. 21 and Feb. 18 from 1-3 p.m. Elk Mountain Senior Center clients can expect vaccines Jan. 26 and Feb. 23 from 9-10 a.m. Hanna Senior Center will have vaccines available Jan. 26 and Feb. 23 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Medicine Bow Senior Center will have vaccines available Jan. 26 and Feb. 23 from 1-2:30 p.m. Baggs Senior Center will offer vaccines Jan. 27 and Feb. 24 from 10:30 a.m.- noon. The Dixon Senior Center will see vaccinations Jan. 27 and Feb. 24 from 1-2 p.m. The Public Health Office reports they will use announcements on Big Foot 99 radio, the Rawlins Daily Times, the Saratoga Sun, and Facebook to deliver announcements.  For the latest, check out:  https://www.facebook.com/Carbon-County-Public-Health-1396887880577910.

Sweetwater County - COVID-19 vaccinations are available for those in Phase 1A and 1B. Call 307-922-5390 for an appointment. That includes people 70 and older. For more click here. 

Laramie County - Phase 1B vaccinations have started in Laramie County. For those age 70+ in sub-group 3, we expect to start vaccinating the week of February 1st. A link will be shared on Facebook and on Laramie County’s Public Health website to schedule an appointment when that is confirmed. Other 1B individuals should contact their employer. Laramie County Public Health is working with the state and community partners to establish alternate providers in the county, and they will share those when they have been approved.

Uinta County - Uinta County Public Health reports on its Facebook page COVID-19 Vaccinations for medical and emergency personnel (those in the top tier priority group Phase 1A) are nearly complete in Uinta County.  Plans are being made to move into Phase 1B, specifically those 70 years and older. Doses of COVID-19 vaccine are very limited at this time, and there likely will not be enough to vaccinate everyone who would like one in the first clinic. More vaccine will be available in coming weeks. Additional clinics will be held as additional vaccine arrives. If you are 70 years old or older and are interested in receiving the vaccine please register by filling in all of the information at this link: https://forms.gle/fbvGPciMf7gTQqZQA 

You only need to register once. Utilizing the above link is the preferred method for registration, but for those without a computer or smart phone or someone to help them register that way, we can accept calls Tuesday Jan. 12 through Thursday Jan. 14, 8am-5pm at 307-789-9203 for Evanston residents to sign up. Bridger Valley residents can call 307-787-3800 to sign up.

To fairly distribute the vaccine, we will utilize a random drawing for residents 70 and older who have registered to receive the vaccine. If your name is selected you will receive notification (text, email, or phone call) that will tell you the location, time, and date for you to receive your vaccine. The Evanston 1st round clinic will be on Monday, January 18th. For more, check out:  https://www.uintacounty.com/904/Corona-Virus---COVID-19?fbclid=IwAR2bqbVp3X1Fb0bb_QeSUQn8vpBVRQnLB_I2Dm7M6wNjhWxzbup9yMNz_BY.

Lincoln County - Lincoln County Public Health is allowing sign-ups for those interested in getting vaccinated in the 1B pool, including those age 70 and over. Thus far, Lincoln County Public health does not have a firm time/date for when they will begin calling the 1B list. This week we are vaccinating 1A people. We are working as fast as we can. Thank you for your patience. Keep an eye on the Lincoln County Public Health Facebook Page for more.

Fremont County - According to the Fremont County Health Department’s Facebook Page, Public Health and Sage West are working to provide the vaccine to 1A and 1B priority lists. If you are 70 or over, call the Lander Medical Clinic or Western Family care to schedule an appointment. Vaccine supply will dictate the availability of the vaccines for those in Phase 1B’s priority list. 

Hot Springs County - Hot Springs County has a Coronavirus Facebook Page that offers updates. Public Health asks that you wear short sleeves to your vaccinations. If you are 70 or over, you can sign up online for the vaccine here. Hot Springs County Public Health will then call you to schedule an appointment. Those who would prefer to call for an appointment can do so by calling 307-864-3311.

Big Horn County - The Facebook page for Big Horn County’s Public Health Department tells us that those in group 1A and 1B (that includes those over age 70) are able to call Big Horn Public Health to schedule an appointment to receive the COVID19 vaccine. In Lovell, call 307-548-6591 and Greybull, call 307-765-2371. 

Teton County - The Facebook page and vaccination page for Teton County offers a distribution timeline for vaccines. If you are age 80 or over, you can register online here, or call 307-732-8628. Teton County Public Health suggests in January it will be finalizing the vaccine distribution for Phase 1A and beginning Phase 1B. 

Park County - According to the Park County Public Health Facebook page, if you are a Park County resident in either Phase 1A or 1B of the COVID19 vaccination priority lists, you can schedule an appointment to receive the COVID19 vaccine through this web form, or call 307-527-8570. However, on Jan. 11, the Public Health office told its Facebook audience that there are currently no openings for vaccines as they are closely monitoring vaccine shipments to ensure those who received the initial shot, can receive a booster. 

Sublette County - According to Sublette County’s Public Health Facebook page, administration of the vaccine to those in Priority Group 1B, including those over age 70, is underway. Due to the limited supply of vaccines allotted to Sublette County and the need to distribute these vaccinations in an orderly fashion, registration will be required for those wishing to receive a vaccination. No vaccinations will be administered without a completed registration and a scheduled appointment. To sign up for the vaccine waiting list, there are two options: complete the Google Survey @ https://bit.ly/2LovKQU or call Public Health @ 307-367-2157 for assistance with registration. Registration will put you on the waiting list. Public Health will call you when a vaccine is available to schedule your appointment date & time.

Sheridan County - Sheridan County’s Public Health office is using its website to communicate out its work around COVID 19. Sheridan County Public Health is now vaccinating Phase 1A and Phase 1B, including those age 70 and over. Vaccines will be administered at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. For those eligible, call 307-675-4471. Sheridan County Public Health is also administering vaccines, but is waiting for more supply as of Jan. 7. Sheridan’s VA Center is administering vaccines for enrolled Vets who are 85 and older or those with certain conditions. Learn more here. 

Johnson County - Johnson County’s Public Health’s Facebook page tells us it has vaccinated healthcare workers and expects around 100 doses each week in January and believes it can vaccine 40-80 people per day. As of Jan. 8, the amount of vaccine Johnson County had received was accounted for with more vaccine doses coming in Feb. Right now, it is vaccinating in Phase 1A and 1B, including those age 70 and over. Information on vaccine and other public health information will be found on the Johnson County Public Health’s Facebook page, as well as local media and at johnsoncountywyoming.org. You may also call 307-384-2564 for updates.

Natrona County - Casper-Natrona County Public Health’s Facebook page tells us individuals age 70 and over will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination at various locations around Casper starting Jan. 13. Locations include Platte River Family Practice, Community Health Centers of Central Wyoming, UW Family Practice, Mesa Primary Care Clinic. Appointments can be scheduled through these individual clinics. For more frequently asked questions, click here. 

Niobrara County - According to Niobrara County’s Facebook page, there will be a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Jan. 12 from noon-6 p.m. at the County Fairgrounds Beef Barn. Residents will be vaccinated in their car. The vaccines can be received by residents age 70 and older. For more information on vaccine availability after Jan. 12, call 307-334-4032.

Goshen County - Goshen County’s Public Health Facebook page tells us it is offering COVID-19 Vaccine clinics for those age 70 and older Jan. 12, 19, and 26th from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the National Guard’s Armory at 1025 West 25th Street in Torrington. This is a drive-through clinic and residents will be vaccinated in their car. They ask you to bring a face mask and driver’s license. There will be a wait of 15-30 minutes and Public Health asks that you make an appointment by calling 307-715-0068. 

Platte County -  For more information, check out Platte County’s Public Health website.

Converse County - Converse County’s Public Health Office is starting to take Phase 1B patients this week for vaccines. Currently, the Public Health Office is asking residents age 70 and over to call the office and leave their name and number. In the coming weeks, they will send information on drive-through vaccination clinics through the community code red texting system. Converse County Public Health can be reached at:  307-358-2536.

Crook County - Crook County’s Coronavirus Facebook page suggests Public Health is moving through Phase 1A and expects to be finished vaccinating that group by Jan. 8. This week it expects to get into Phase 1B, including those age 70 and over. Because of the fact vials must be used within six hours of opening them, Crook County Public Health isn’t taking walk-in appointments, and would prefer you call 307-283-1142 for an appointment. 

Weston County - Weston County has a Public Health COVID19 Bulletin Board on Facebook, which is keeping its residents up-to-speed on developments related to vaccinations. On Jan. 6, the page told residents they have made appointments for all COVID-19 vaccines that they have received for those age 70 and older. With more allocations on the way, they expect to provide mass vaccination clinics for those age 70 and over and will notify residents through the Newcastle Journal, Weston County Gazette, and local radio.