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Missouri expanding COVID-19 vaccinator eligibility to dentists, vets, therapists

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is expanding COVID-19 vaccinator eligibility to include dentists, midwives, optometrists, podiatrists, respiratory therapists and veterinarians.

The expansion to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act Declaration announced Monday is meant to increase the numbers of people able to give out coronavirus vaccinations.

The modification allows the newly minted vaccinators to give COVID-19 vaccinations anywhere in the country. It also lets students in certain health care professions with proper training and supervision to serve as vaccinators.

Currently qualified students in the following fields are able to give out the vaccine:

  • Dental
  • Emergency medical technicians
  • Medical
  • Midwifery
  • Nursing
  • Optometry
  • Paramedic
  • Pharmacy/pharmacy intern
  • Physician assistant
  • Podiatry
  • Respiratory therapist

More information about who can now provide vaccinations is available online.

Individuals are able to sign up to become a vaccinator for their state with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services or can register with Missouri as a volunteer vaccinator.

The state reports 27.8% of Boone County residents have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, which equates to 75,620 vaccines being given out. Boone County also ranks third highest in the state for county vaccinations.

Currently, 23.9% of Cole County residents have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. This equates to 29,575 coronavirus vaccines being given out to residents.

Pulaski County is the least vaccinated county in the state with 7.2% of its population receiving at least one dose of the vaccine. County residents have received just more than 6,000 doses.

To date, Missourians have received a total of 2,099,298 first and second doses of the coronavirus vaccine. A total of 22.5% of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine and 12.3% has completed vaccination.

Article Topic Follows: Coronavirus

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Meghan Drakas

Meghan joined ABC 17 News in January 2021.
The Penn State grad is from the Philadelphia suburbs where she interned with several local TV stations.

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