CADIZ — The Harrison County Health Department postponed today’s drive-through vaccine clinic due to anticipated inclement weather.

The clinic, originally set for today for residents age 40 and older, has been moved to Monday at Sally Buffalo Park.

Administrator Garen Rhome said the decision was made early Thursday due to a weather forecast calling for high winds of 40 mph and gusts up to 60 mph.

“It was a difficult decision because we know people are looking forward to and anticipating getting their vaccine, but obviously not at the expense of the safety of our employees, volunteers or the public which we would be asking to come to the site,” he said.

The safety of the staff and residents is a priority, Rhome said. The health department always takes inclement weather under advisement for every pre-scheduled clinic date, he added.

Rhome said staff contacted all 200 residents who were signed up for the clinic and alerted them to the schedule change. The individuals will keep the same time slot for the new clinic date. He said the majority of individuals were able to change the date without issue.

The next vaccine clinic is set for Tuesday, when 80 doses will be administered in Hopedale. This clinic marks the first in the county offered to all adult residents age 18 and older.

A vaccination clinic set for April 9 is still open for appointments for residents 18 and over. Rhome said the workers anticipate administering up to 300 first doses; however, the public will dictate the response. A large majority of the slots are still available for the clinic. To book an appointment for the clinic, visit the link listed on the health department’s website and use the access code harco40921.

“We’ve had a really good response so far to the online scheduling tool,” he said.

Rhome said residents can also call the department and a staff member will schedule an appointment for you.

The county health department cannot yet offer the vaccine to residents ages 16-17, Rhome said. The department has only taken shipments of the Moderna vaccine, which is only approved for those age 18 and older. The only vaccine currently approved for people ages 16-17 is the Pfizer vaccine. He said as soon as the department receives a shipment of the Pfizer vaccine, it will open up its registration to 16- and 17-year-olds. Rhome added if there are any interested 16- and 17-year-olds, the department will help them get in contact with a local entity that is providing the approved vaccine.

Rhome urges residents to get vaccinated regardless of the provider. He said residents can visit gettheshot.coronavirus.gov to find the nearest vaccine providers in their area.

“Seek out the vaccine and get vaccinated. It’s a safe and effective vaccine,” he said. “Find a provider that works for you. And we certainly encourage people to take whatever vaccine is offered to them.”

Rhome said the side effects from the vaccine are minimal, if any occur at all, and vary from person to person.