Thousands of Missourians are now vaccine eligible in Phase 2
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Phase 2 of Missouri's coronavirus vaccine plan opened up on Monday making nearly 900,000 state residents eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.
The phase includes Missourians who are essential to equitable economic recovery, including those employed in construction, critical manufacturing, higher education and remaining food and agriculture sectors. As well as, homeless and disproportionately affected populations with an emphasis on racial and ethnic minorities, among others.
In total, an estimated 3.9 million adult state residents are now eligible for vaccination. The state data said that nearly 40 percent of the approximately 3 million residents who are vaccine eligible have initiated vaccination.
Dr. Robin Blount, chief medical officer of Boone Hospital Center, said vaccine supply in the area is starting to ramp up.
Boone Hospital Center has been vaccinating area residents at a site at the Columbia Mall. The hospital has started work to set up a new vaccination site with more vaccine shipments expected.
Blount said the new site for Boone Hospital Center should be completed in the coming days and they will also have a call center for people who do not online access.
Anyone looking to get vaccinated can sign up on the state's website with multiple events happening this week.
Moniteau County is set to host a two-day, walk-thru clinic starting on Thursday at 8 a.m. It will continue through 5 p.m. at the United Church of Christ.
Audrain County is hosting a walk-thru clinic April 6 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. located at the Mexico Area Family YMCA.
Blount said there are also outreach clinics in the work to reach more people in the area.
"We're talking about in the next few weeks doing a clinic downtown to reach restaurant workers," Blount said.
Blount said it would be convenient and that downtown workers would walk there. The hospital is also working to provide transportation for others to attend.
Select pharmacies are also receiving 15% of the state's weekly vaccine allocation. A total of 161 pharmacies in 84 counties have been selected based on ability, location and population.
Darran Alberty with D&H Drugstore said they have been using an online appointment system for people to sign up for vaccine appointment times.
"We open up appointments online every afternoon on Sunday through Thursday for the following day to vaccine Monday through Friday," said Alberty.
Each pharmacy is currently working with 100 doses per week from the state.
Region F has 22 total pharmacies that are vaccinating. A map of all vaccine providers throughout the state is also provided.
Alberty said there is a network of pharmacies in the area that are in weekly communication to discuss vaccine supply. D&H takes note of where supply may be available to make sure that people have additional options.
