Hilltoppers,
I need to make some clarifications from my vaccine update last week (see below). I realize after getting many responses that my email was not as clear as it could have been. In addition, I truly appreciate those of you who acknowledged wanting the vaccine, but felt our direct care workers, as well as those in the community, should have first priority for the vaccines. Rest assured that those with the highest risk of contracting COVID are our top priority.
Hilltoppers eligible for the vaccine will fall in the same order as the general community as outlined in the graphic below:
(CLICK HERE for direct link to this graphic and more info)
Hilltoppers working in our residential programs will be in Phase 1, however even that group will be additionally prioritized by the amount of direct contact they have with our residents. What we do know is that it will take several weeks to get through all the individuals in Phase 1 throughout Mesa County. However, when your time arrives to be vaccinated, we want you to be informed and ready.
I will be sending out additional information regarding the COVID vaccination in the future, so please continue to keep yourself informed.
Together, we got this.
Mike
Update Referenced Above:
A light at the end of a very long tunnel? We have heard since the beginning of COVID the need for an effective vaccine to get our communities back to normalcy. Starting as early as next week, vaccines will begin arriving in our communities.
As a critical provider of health services, Hilltop has been designated to receive the new COVID vaccine in the first tier of distribution. This means vaccines may be available to Hilltoppers and residents as soon as they arrive in Mesa County.
Vaccines are, and have always been, a very personal choice, and the COVID vaccine has significantly more emotion around its implementation. Ultimately, the decision to vaccinate, or not to vaccinate, is entirely up to you. At this time, Hilltop employees are not mandated to be vaccinated, although future information and regulations may change that decision.
And like all individual choices, YOU should decide what is right for you. I encourage each of you to use the next few days to do some research on the COVID vaccine. There is lots of information available from reliable sources, including those listed at the bottom of this letter, or talk to your healthcare provider.
Our window for Hilltoppers to receive the vaccine will be short, and you will want to be prepared to make the decision that is best for you.
We will provide more information and vaccine dates as soon as they are available. I appreciate all your diligence in keeping our clients and coworkers safe to date, and know you will give the same attention to this new tool in fighting the pandemic.
Mike Stahl
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html
www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/covid-19-vaccines
www.health.mesacounty.us/covid19
