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State continues work to get virus vaccine to residents
Missouri officials are continuing to work to get the COVID-19 vaccine to residents while the number of virus cases in the state continues a downward trend.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said during a press conference Thursday, the state’s positivity rate for the virus is down to 9.3%, 15 points below the state’s high of 24.4% in November while hospitalization has decreased as well.
As the state continues to attempt to increase the number of vaccinations given, Parson said “the vaccine supply continues to be the limiting factor.”
In an effort to boost the number of people getting the vaccine Parson announced another round of regional mass vaccinations across the state for rural areas.
One mass vaccination clinic is planned for Friday at Century Casino in Caruthersville, Missouri. The drive-thru event is by appointment only and the appointments were full as of Thursday afternoon.
State health department director Dr. Randall Williams also announced Thursday that some Walmart pharmacy locations, as well as Health Mart locations, will begin offering the COVID-19 vaccine next week.
The program is through the federal government and doses are coming directly from federal supply and would be in addition to the state’s weekly allotment. Williams said he wouldn’t have a list of participating Walmart and Health Mart locations until Monday and he was not sure of how many pharmacies would be included.
Parson also said the state is also trying to get a hold of vaccines not being used by CVS and Walgreens.
“We’re going to try and get every bit we can get from them,” Parson said.
Currently, Missouri is in Phase 1B-Tier2 which includes anyone 65 and older and adults with high-risk conditions.
Parson said the state is determined to vaccinate “the most vulnerable,” and they are taking reports of those giving vaccinations to those who are not eligible seriously.
“We are not going to allow people to administer however they want to administer,” Parson said. “The guidelines are clear. There is no misunderstandings.
“If that is not followed, we will do other actions to make sure that vaccine goes to the people who actually need it.”
Williams said he spoke with one CEO who confessed to giving vaccinations to a group outside of the current phase.
“We are going to prioritize our most vulnerable,” Williams said. “Any deviation from that will be met with consequences.”
Williams said the next phase of vaccinations could still be a couple months away as more vaccines are approved, such as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine which could be approved later this month and the AstraZeneca vaccine that may be available in late March.
Williams said he hopes the state will get to Tier 3 of Phase 1B, which includes teachers, grocery store workers, elected officials and other “critical infrastructure” employees in early to mid-April. He hopes to start Phase 3, the final phase in the state’s vaccine distribution plan, by mid-May.
“It will take time but I assure you we are committed to giving every Missourian an opportunity to eventually receive the vaccine, regardless of where you live,” Parson said.
Currently, Scott County is second in the state in percentage of residents who have received the first dose of the vaccine, with 12.1% of the county’s population getting their first dose. In Scott County, 5,332 have had the vaccine administered with 4,635 receiving their first dose and 694 getting both doses.
Those in Scott County wanting to sign up for the vaccine can at https://www.scottcountyhealth.com/covid-waiting-list.php.
Mississippi County has 7.7% of the population receiving the first dose with 1,094 doses administered. To date, 1,015 residents have had the first dose with 79 receiving both doses.
In Stoddard County, 7.5% of residents have received their first dose with 2,473 doses administered. Current numbers released from the state show 2,186 residents have had the first dose administered while 286 residents have had both doses.
Those in Stoddard County wishing to receive the vaccine can sign up at: http://www.stoddardcountyhealth.com
In New Madrid County, 7.1% of residents have received their first dose with 1,379 doses administered. As of Thursday morning, 1,249 residents have received their first dose while 130 have had both doses.
Those in New Madrid County wishing to receive the vaccine can sign up at: http://www.newmadridcountyhealthdept.com/covid-waiting-list.php