Ouray County Public Health: COVID, flu vaccines available; new youth nicotine-prevention grant awarded

Kristen Kelly, Ouray County public health director, told commissioners on Oct. 7 that local public-health staff are staging vaccine clinics, tracking wastewater for respiratory viruses and expanding prevention programs.

Kelly said COVID vaccine doses are being made available through Ouray County Public Health and local pharmacies; the state has removed recent ordering barriers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has authorized federal vaccine ordering for specific programs that cover uninsured patients. Kelly said county staff are placing an order and expected a shipment that would let public-health staff reduce the current short waiting list for COVID shots. The department is also offering seasonal influenza vaccines — including high-dose flu shots for people 65 and older — and has administered dozens of doses in September and early October.

Why it matters: County officials noted that fall brings the usual rise in respiratory infections. Kelly said the county’s wastewater monitoring in late September and early October showed low detections for influenza and RSV and limited detections for SARS-CoV-2; hospitalizations statewide for West Nile virus were also reported in the public summary used by the department.

New and ongoing work - Vaccine access: Kelly said the county’s public health office has clinics by appointment and that state and federal supply channels are opening; residents should call the county public-health office to be placed on local scheduling lists. - Outreach clinics: A state mobile vaccine van operated in the county during a recent community event and delivered dozens of doses; the county has additional vaccine clinics scheduled for school staff and community members in October and December. - WIC, family wellness and other programs: WIC and family wellness programs are continuing; Nourish Colorado grant funding will support family-wellness activity for two more years. County staff reported that farmers-market vouchers are winding down for the season. - Uprise youth grant: Ouray County Public Health was awarded a $4,500 Uprise grant to partner with Ouray High School on a youth-led nicotine-prevention initiative. Public-health nurse Becca (last name reported in staff materials) told the board the program is intended to build youth leadership and address root causes of youth nicotine use; the board will see a future agenda item with program details and funding documents. - Sexual health clinic: A free STI/HIV testing clinic held in September was described as successful; the department will host the next clinic in December in partnership with regional providers who will provide linkage to care.

Commissioner and public conversation During the public-health presentation, speakers raised screening and access questions beyond immunizations. Resident Carolyn Dressler and commissioners discussed barriers that local women face in accessing mammography — travel time, childcare and lack of an on-site mobile screening presence. Kelly said public-health staff can help with outreach and that state-level grants and regional partnerships could be explored; she told the board that her small department will need partners to pursue a mobile mammography program because it requires follow-up care and specialist services.

Kelly also said staff are working to schedule in-person National Incident Management System trainings and regional preparedness exercises in late 2025 and 2026; the department received final FEMA approval for the county’s hazard-mitigation plan covering 2025–2030.

Ending Kelly urged residents to stay home while ill, to take precautions for five days after symptoms improve, and to contact public-health staff by phone to schedule vaccines or to learn about upcoming clinics. She said the county will publish clinic dates on its usual outreach channels as supply arrives.