U.S. fully approves Pfizer vaccine for 16 and older

While COVID-19 numbers rise locally, state and nationwide in a delta variant-driven surge, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today fully approved the first COVID-19 vaccine.

The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty, for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in people 16 and older.

The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization, including for people 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.

The Moderna vaccine and the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine both remain in an emergency use authorization for people 18 and older.

Numbers continue to climb in the area, with Hill County reporting Friday 71 active cases and one active hospitalization, Blaine County reporting 22 active cases, Chouteau County reporting 2 active cases and 11 active cases in Liberty County.

Liberty County Health Department reported Friday that, due to a high risk situation, all visitation is stopped at Liberty Medical Center. No changes have been made to visitation at Wheat Country Estates.

Statewide, the Montana update this morning listed 652 new cases with 3,784 active cases and 220 hospitalizations.

Officials are urging people to get vaccinated to help reduce the impact of the surge.

Almost everyone hospitalized from the celta-variant virus, and almost all deaths, are in unvaccinated people.

While fully vaccinated people appear to be more likley to transmit the delta variant, unlikely in previous versions, more people being vaccinated will help reduce the impact.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending everyone wear masks to reduce the spread of the variant.

Liberty County Health Department said in its update that its next COVID-19 vaccine clinic is Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the west side of the Senior Center. People can call 406-759-5517 to get an appointment and walk-ins are welcome.

In Hill County, vaccinations are available through Bullhook Community Health Center, 406-395-4305; the Hill County Health Department, 406-400-2415; Northern Montana Health Care’s Specialty Medical Center at 406-265-7831 or it’s family Family Medical Center at 406-265-5408; Western Drug Pharmacy,406-265-9601; Gary & Leo’s Pharmacy, which takes walk-ins, Walmart and the Rocky Boy Health Center, 406-395-1655.

Vaccinations are available in Blaine County through the Blaine County Health Department, 406-357-2345, and Fort Belknap Health Center.

Vaccine is available in Chouteau County at the Chouteau County Health Department, 406-622-3771, and Big Sandy Pharmacy at 406-378-5588.