Montezuma County’s effort to vaccinate as many people as possible has made some headway.

According to the Montezuma County Health Department, 5,559 people have received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. An additional 1,464 have received their second shot, completing the vaccination.

The state entered Phase 1B.2 of its intricate distribution plan this month. Phase 1B.2 allows Coloradans age 65 and older, educators, child care workers and a small number of state government officials to receive the vaccine.

The county still seeks to vaccinate as many people from the 70-and-older population as well.

In the week of Feb. 8 to Feb. 14, 1,939 individuals received their first shot, and 483 received their second.

Entities administering the vaccine in Montezuma County include the county health department, Southwest Health System, Axis Health System, City Market, Safeway and Walgreens.

Southwest Health System has been a significant provider of vaccine for the county. As of Tuesday morning, SHS had administered 3,335 first doses and 1,037 second doses, according to SHS Executive Assistant Bridgett Jabour.

Last week, and SHS emergency services crew visited roughly seven homebound people to give them their first shot of the vaccine.

SHS has asked that residents, regardless of where they fall on the distribution list, complete a patient vaccine request form. This ensures that SHS can reach them quickly as guidelines or protocols expand.

According to county spokesperson Vicki Shaffer, the health department is nearing the bottom of its list of people who signed up for the vaccine. Shaffer wants to make sure that people age 65 and older know they may be vaccinated.

“We want to get the message out to the public,” Shaffer said. “We want to make sure everyone gets this opportunity.”

anicotera@the-journal.com