Registration has started for Friday mass vaccination event

Health officials expect to vaccinate 150 people every 15 minutes during a mass event Friday in Poplar Bluff.

Morning appointment times have already been filled for the event a the Black River Coliseum, but afternoon appointments are still available, officials said Monday afternoon.

The event will offer second Pfizer shots for the approximately 2,300 people who were vaccinated during the first mass events Jan. 22 and 23 in Poplar Bluff.

Email and phone contacts have begun being made with those individuals who qualify for this clinic, said Butler County Health Department Director Emily Goodin.

Anyone who received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at Hydro Adventures or the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center mass clinic should receive a private link to register to receive the second dose Friday, Goodin said.

“If they provided an email address (in January), we were able to give them a private link to register for this event this Friday,” she said. “If they didn’t have an email address, we are working with the National Guard and they are calling them.”

The Missouri National Guard began making those calls Monday.

Those who received their first shot during the Jan. 22 and 23 mass clinics, and who have not been contacted either by email or phone, can email health officials at bchc@semo.net. “We can provide them with the proper measures on how to get registered,” Goodin said.

The health department is working with local health care providers to staff Friday’s event, including nursing students from Three Rivers College, nurses from Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, and participants from other area hospitals.

Those attending the clinic Friday should bring their vaccination card with them, as well as printed and filled out consent forms.

“It will be a much faster, smoother process if they have their card with them, along with their consent papers,” Goodin said.

Staff will be able to retrieve electronic shot records, or consent paperwork if residents do not have these documents. The half-circle drive in front of the Coliseum will be kept clear Friday for those individuals who need to be dropped off at the door, Goodin said. The health department is also working with the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Department to provide a shuttle service from the lower parking lot.

The side parking lot will be reserved for handicap and disabled residents.

The health department may also release information on Wednesday or Thursday about the possibility of residents receiving the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine during this clinic. It is not known as of Monday afternoon how many or if any first doses will be available, Goodin said.