Outreach clinics continue in Mid-Missouri as vaccine demand decreases
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services has partnered with Boone Health and MU Health Care for a coronavirus vaccine outreach clinic on Ballenger Lane on Saturday.
The clinic was intended to be held at Indian Hills Park but rainy weather expected this weekend has prompted the change in locations. The event will still run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. but will now be held at Columbia Fire Station No. 5 at 1400 Ballenger Lane.
Vaccines will be given to those who have scheduled appointments ahead of the event, but they are also accepting walk-ins.
Moderna's two-dose vaccine will be given at the clinic to anyone 18 and older. Second doses will be administered on May 22 at the same location.
The health department has held many outreach clinics for specific populations in Columbia recently.
Vaccine interest continues to be a struggle for local vaccinators as recent events have had appointments continued to go unfilled. The health department said, "These types of outreach clinics are being held to reduce barriers for Boone County residents to be vaccinated."
The health department teamed with the Missouri National Guard to vaccinate 2,000 people at the Columbia Mall this week but only 475 spots were filled.
Those who are unable to schedule an appointment online can do so by calling the city contact center at 573-874-2489.
The decrease in demand has also been shown in Cole County's vaccination effort. The Coel County Health Department planned to vaccinate 4,000 people at Capital Mall last week and only filled 1,600 spots.
Jefferson City Medical Group teamed with Building Community Bridges, a Jefferson City nonprofit, to hold a vaccination clinic at Miller Park on Saturday.
Ron Rockwood with JCMG said, "The event will be happening tomorrow rain or shine from 2-4 p.m., no appointment necessary."
Rockwood said 300 Moderna vaccine doses are available, second doses will be given out on May 22. He said the groups initially planned on giving out the Johnson & Johnson doses before the pause on the vaccine from the CDC.
"We've reached that point where everybody that has wanted to get the vaccine on their own has the opportunity and has done so. Now we have to go the opposite direction and bring the vaccine to the people," said Rockwood.
Rockwood said when JCMG first received the Johnson & Johnson doses they had a tremendous amount of interest and he believes in reaching people moving forward, the one-shot option is important.
