Coronavirus vaccine providers say registration remains the most efficient way to get the shot

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The slow coronavirus vaccine rollout has many Missourians wondering when they might get the shot and how to make sure that happens as soon as possible.

And while stories abound of jumping in line and taking advantage of extra shots left over after clinics, Mid-Missouri medical providers say filling out their vaccine surveys is still the way to go.

Health care providers in Mid-Missouri have largely relied on online forms to allow residents to sign up for a coronavirus shot. Demand for shots has skyrocketed in recent weeks after the state opened up eligibility to people with certain underlying health conditions and those over 65.

Combined with the limited supply, that means lots of people eligible for shots who are still looking.

University of Missouri Health Care saying filling out its online survey is the best way to get in line. MU Health is sending out invitations based on eligibility criteria and vaccine supply.

"From that list we send out invitations based off what volume of vaccines we are going to receive," MU Health Executive Director of Pharmacy and Lab Services Brad Myers said Thursday.

Myers said MU Health has an algorithm in place to determine who is eligible at what time. The organization has more than 40,000 names in its database. With about 4,000 total shots for MU Health's first mass vaccination clinic this week, that means most have not received an invitation yet.

About 27,000 Boone County residents have now received a first dose of a two-shot coronavirus vaccine regimen, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Nearly 11% of the county has received a first dose.

A spokeswoman with the Columbia/Boone County Health Department said waiting for a slot with MU Health is likely how most people now eligible will get their shots.

MU Health plans to start sending out invites on a set day each once vaccine supplies warrant the change.

Health department spokeswoman Sara Humm said the department sent out an email to everyone who has filled out its survey. The email told readers the health department had no more first vaccination doses and referred them to MU Health Care.

Myers said MU Health and the health department are working to merge their lists. This will ensure that no matter where the vaccinations are coming in, everyone will be pulled from the same list.

MU Health says anyone who has internet access issues can call 573-771-2273 to get assistance getting on the list.

MU Health is one of several hospitals around the state that are getting increased shipments of vaccine under a revised distribution plan unveiled this week. Those extra doses made this week's mass clinic at Faurot Field possible.

Thursday, the site at Faurot Field had a 3.2% no-show rate and vaccinated 2,056 people.

Myers said the people who did not show up will receive an email asking them to opt-out of receiving the vaccine or to sign up to receive it on a different date.

MU Health had a stand-by list in place for the event, in which people were notified earlier in the week that they were on this list. They were informed they would be contacted in a set time frame if extra vaccine doses were available.

Health officials say more than 600,000 vaccine doses have been administered statewide, with more than 2 million people now eligible to get the shot.