COVID-19 Resources
Home Test Kit Information
As of 8-1-22, we are RESTOCKED with at-home COVID-19 test kits. Supplies are limited.
The Health Department has at-home COVID-19 test kits available in our lobby, located at 1201 West Holly, Sidney. They are available until gone, from 830AM to 5PM. If you need additional home tests, visit https://www.covidtests.gov/ Last updated 8-1-22.
The Health Department has at-home COVID-19 test kits available in our lobby, located at 1201 West Holly, Sidney. They are available until gone, from 830AM to 5PM. If you need additional home tests, visit https://www.covidtests.gov/ Last updated 8-1-22.
COVID-19 Vaccination
The Richland County Health Department is providing COVID-19 vaccines during regular clinic hours, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 - 4:30 by appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Vaccines
Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
COVID-19 vaccines are available in Richland County. COVID-19 vaccines are available during our regular clinic hours on
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 to 4:30 by appointment only. If you are experiencing extenuating circumstances, please call the Health Department to make alternative arrangements. These arrangements are subject to staff and vaccine availability. To schedule a COVID vaccine, call the Health Department at 406-433-2207.
Can children be vaccinated for COVID-19?
The Health Department now carries a limited stock of pediatric Moderna brand COVID-19 vaccine for 6 months and older. These are available during our regular clinic hours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 to 4:30 by appointment only. Regular Pfizer doses are licensed for ages 12 and older and are also available during regularly scheduled clinics.
How many doses do I need to get?
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine provided to the Health Department is a two-dose series that should be administered at least 28 days apart. The Pfizer brand vaccine is a two-dose series administered 21 days apart. Novavax brand vaccine is a two-dose series given 3 weeks apart. You will be provided with a card that shows the date you received the first dose so that you may track when you are due for the second dose. This is also for your personal record. You must receive two doses of the same brand of vaccine. You can read more about the Emergency Use Authorization for the Moderna vaccine, the Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer vaccine, or the Emergency Use Authorization for Novavax.
What about boosters?
The Health Department will begin offering the new bi-valent boosters on September 14th. Booster doses are available during our regular clinic hours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 to 4:30 by appointment only. Both Pfizer and Moderna bi-valent boosters will be available. Pfizer is available for those 12 and older, and Moderna is available for those 18 and older. You may choose a different brand of vaccine for your booster dose. To eligible for a booster, you must be more than 2 months from the completion of your primary series, OR be more than 2 months from your last booster.
There is currently no booster available for Novavax.
What is a bi-valent booster? Can I get the regular one anymore?
Bi-valent means the vaccine was specifically designed to protect against the most prevalent two strains of COVID-19-Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. The previous, mono-valent booster less specifically protected against the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. The monovalent booster is no longer available.
I received my first dose in another state/locality. Can I get my second dose or booster at the Health Department?
You must receive two doses of the same brand of vaccine to complete the main series of the vaccine. We will accommodate your second dose at one of our regularly scheduled vaccination clinics. Remember that the second dose of Moderna is due 4-6 weeks after the first; and the second dose of Pfizer is due 3 weeks after the first-this information should be provided on your vaccine record card.
Please ensure that you have a record of your first doses received elsewhere when you come to our clinics. This is important information for us to ensure you receive the vaccine doses on time and your vaccine is recorded accurately. Please contact us at 406-433-2207 if you need assistance retrieving your vaccination record.
Is there a charge for the COVID-19 vaccine?
The Health Department will bill private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid $40 for the standard vaccine administration fee. If you do not have insurance, you will still receive the vaccine.
Should I get vaccinated if I've already had COVID-19?
Current evidence shows that immunity to COVID-19 decreases after 90 days following infection. This means that even individuals who have had COVID-19 should get the vaccine. However, if you are currently infected with COVID-19, you should isolate according to CDC guidelines and are no longer considered infectious.
Do we still need to wear masks, social distance, and quarantine if we've received the COVID-19 vaccine?
Each of these precautions are tools to help fight the COVID-19 virus in our community. No vaccine is 100% effective. We expect that the vaccine will aid in preventing infection, and reduce the severity of symptoms in those that do become infected. This should lead to fewer hospitalizations and deaths. The CDC currently states that those who are vaccinated can resume activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
I've heard that some people have bad reactions to the vaccine. What are you doing to ensure those who receive the vaccine are safe?
Those who receive the vaccine will complete forms that provide our nurses with important information relating to their vaccine and allergy histories. These will be reviewed by the nurse and discussed with the client. Each client will be asked to remain at the Health Department for at least 15 minutes past their vaccination so that they may be monitored for any allergic reaction. The Health Department is prepared with tools such as Epinephrine and oxygen should any client show signs of an allergic reaction. Following your vaccination, you will be provided information for v-safe, a smartphone-based tool that will direct you to surveys where you can report any problems or adverse reactions. You can read about the expected side effects of the vaccine. As always, we would encourage you to contact the Health Department at 406-433-2207 to report any adverse reaction to the vaccine.
Where can I learn about vaccine distribution in Montana? How many vaccines have been given in Richland County.
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services maintains a website for COVID-19 vaccine distribution information. This information is updated regularly, and includes the number of vaccines given in Richland County.
I'm looking for vaccine information from a non-governmental source. Where should I look?
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has an extensive list of FAQs about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Updated 9-7-22.
COVID-19 vaccines are available in Richland County. COVID-19 vaccines are available during our regular clinic hours on
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 to 4:30 by appointment only. If you are experiencing extenuating circumstances, please call the Health Department to make alternative arrangements. These arrangements are subject to staff and vaccine availability. To schedule a COVID vaccine, call the Health Department at 406-433-2207.
Can children be vaccinated for COVID-19?
The Health Department now carries a limited stock of pediatric Moderna brand COVID-19 vaccine for 6 months and older. These are available during our regular clinic hours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 to 4:30 by appointment only. Regular Pfizer doses are licensed for ages 12 and older and are also available during regularly scheduled clinics.
How many doses do I need to get?
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine provided to the Health Department is a two-dose series that should be administered at least 28 days apart. The Pfizer brand vaccine is a two-dose series administered 21 days apart. Novavax brand vaccine is a two-dose series given 3 weeks apart. You will be provided with a card that shows the date you received the first dose so that you may track when you are due for the second dose. This is also for your personal record. You must receive two doses of the same brand of vaccine. You can read more about the Emergency Use Authorization for the Moderna vaccine, the Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer vaccine, or the Emergency Use Authorization for Novavax.
What about boosters?
The Health Department will begin offering the new bi-valent boosters on September 14th. Booster doses are available during our regular clinic hours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 to 4:30 by appointment only. Both Pfizer and Moderna bi-valent boosters will be available. Pfizer is available for those 12 and older, and Moderna is available for those 18 and older. You may choose a different brand of vaccine for your booster dose. To eligible for a booster, you must be more than 2 months from the completion of your primary series, OR be more than 2 months from your last booster.
There is currently no booster available for Novavax.
What is a bi-valent booster? Can I get the regular one anymore?
Bi-valent means the vaccine was specifically designed to protect against the most prevalent two strains of COVID-19-Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. The previous, mono-valent booster less specifically protected against the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. The monovalent booster is no longer available.
I received my first dose in another state/locality. Can I get my second dose or booster at the Health Department?
You must receive two doses of the same brand of vaccine to complete the main series of the vaccine. We will accommodate your second dose at one of our regularly scheduled vaccination clinics. Remember that the second dose of Moderna is due 4-6 weeks after the first; and the second dose of Pfizer is due 3 weeks after the first-this information should be provided on your vaccine record card.
Please ensure that you have a record of your first doses received elsewhere when you come to our clinics. This is important information for us to ensure you receive the vaccine doses on time and your vaccine is recorded accurately. Please contact us at 406-433-2207 if you need assistance retrieving your vaccination record.
Is there a charge for the COVID-19 vaccine?
The Health Department will bill private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid $40 for the standard vaccine administration fee. If you do not have insurance, you will still receive the vaccine.
Should I get vaccinated if I've already had COVID-19?
Current evidence shows that immunity to COVID-19 decreases after 90 days following infection. This means that even individuals who have had COVID-19 should get the vaccine. However, if you are currently infected with COVID-19, you should isolate according to CDC guidelines and are no longer considered infectious.
Do we still need to wear masks, social distance, and quarantine if we've received the COVID-19 vaccine?
Each of these precautions are tools to help fight the COVID-19 virus in our community. No vaccine is 100% effective. We expect that the vaccine will aid in preventing infection, and reduce the severity of symptoms in those that do become infected. This should lead to fewer hospitalizations and deaths. The CDC currently states that those who are vaccinated can resume activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
I've heard that some people have bad reactions to the vaccine. What are you doing to ensure those who receive the vaccine are safe?
Those who receive the vaccine will complete forms that provide our nurses with important information relating to their vaccine and allergy histories. These will be reviewed by the nurse and discussed with the client. Each client will be asked to remain at the Health Department for at least 15 minutes past their vaccination so that they may be monitored for any allergic reaction. The Health Department is prepared with tools such as Epinephrine and oxygen should any client show signs of an allergic reaction. Following your vaccination, you will be provided information for v-safe, a smartphone-based tool that will direct you to surveys where you can report any problems or adverse reactions. You can read about the expected side effects of the vaccine. As always, we would encourage you to contact the Health Department at 406-433-2207 to report any adverse reaction to the vaccine.
Where can I learn about vaccine distribution in Montana? How many vaccines have been given in Richland County.
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services maintains a website for COVID-19 vaccine distribution information. This information is updated regularly, and includes the number of vaccines given in Richland County.
I'm looking for vaccine information from a non-governmental source. Where should I look?
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has an extensive list of FAQs about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Updated 9-7-22.