Missouri governor said an increase in vaccine supply is allowing for several clinics across the state
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Gov. Mike Parson gave a coronavirus briefing Thursday afternoon and gave an update on mass coronavirus vaccine locations across the state.
Watch the briefing replay in the player below.
Parson has told vaccine providers for the past several weeks that April 1 is when the vaccine supply will start to rapidly increase.
He said by the end of April the vaccine supply will be at a point where anybody who wants a vaccine can quickly go to a provider to receive it at any time.
Dr. Randall Williams, Missouri's top health official said the supply is at a point where 1.2 million Missourians could be vaccinated in the month of April.
Parson also announced the increased in supply has allowed the state to partner with FEMA to launch an eight-week vaccine program at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis.
The program will vaccinate up to 3,000 per day seven days per week.
As of now, no other FEMA events are scheduled throughout the state.
Parson said, "If FEMA brings more doses in here and brings more vaccine, they can go wherever they want. I'll do whatever I can to help them."
Federal officials informed state officials they will receive more coronavirus vaccine doses the first week of April allowing for the state to open up Phase 2 and 3.
“With the progress we are currently seeing and vaccine supply expected to increase significantly in the coming weeks, we are well ahead of schedule with our vaccine plan,” Governor Parson said. “Supply projections are subject to change, but it is critical that we start preparing for this potential influx and ensure there is a consistent number of people who are eligible and interested in receiving a vaccine.”
During a recent pandemic briefing, Parson announced the start dates for the last two phases of Missouri's vaccination plan.
Phase 2, which includes many workers tasked with the state's economic recovery, became vaccine-eligible last week. Phase 3 includes all state residents and will be activated to receive a vaccine on April 9.
The state estimated that approximately 60 percent of these Missourians are interested in getting a vaccine.
As of Thursday, the state health department coronavirus dashboard said more than a quarter of Missourians have initiated vaccination and that more than 2.5 million vaccine doses have been administered.
