SPRINGFIELD, Mo (KY3) –
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has activated the next phases of COVID-19 vaccinations, which include police and firefighters starting Friday, Jan. 15, and people at high health risk Monday, Jan. 18.
“People are anxious when it’s their turn, but people have to be patient because we aim to distribute and vaccinate with something we don’t have yet,” said Dr. Robin Trotman, CoxHealth Infectious Disease Specialist.
So even though the governor will activate Phase 1B-Tier 2 of the state’s vaccination plan on Monday, it comes with a warning.
“It does not mean that we will immediately press the ‘GO’ button and start vaccinating people who fall into that level 2 or high-risk individual,” said Lisa Marshall, Taney County Health Director. “We do not have a clear timeline on this due to the availability of the vaccine. Many of us ordered this a few weeks ago or even last December, but there is still a limited amount of supply. ”
But what you can do right now is start to find out if you qualify as a Level 2 beneficiary.
The extended group of qualifications includes anyone aged 65 and over or adults with any of the following conditions:
cancer
o Chronic kidney disease
o COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
o Intellectual and / or developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome
o Heart conditions, such as heart failure, CAD (coronary heart disease) or cardiomyopathies
o Immunocompromised condition from solid organ transplantation
o Severe obesity (BMI> 40 kg / m2)
o Pregnancy
o Sickle cell disease
o Type 2 diabetes
Level 3, which involves key workers, is not yet coming and is not yet activated. This includes pre-K-XII teachers, childcare workers and communication sectors, energy services, food production and distribution (includes grocery and food stores), government officials, water and wastewater, nuclear reactions, information technology and transportation (includes truck drivers).
Then, phase 2, which takes those critically affected by the economy and those important for the recovery of the economy, such as production, finance, higher education staff and the homeless.
Phase 3 then involves everyone else who wants a shot.
Something to remember?
“We can’t vaccinate everyone who wants it in every phase until we move on to the next phase,” Dr. Trotman said. “There will be overlap.”
It is also important to understand that there will be a variety of places to choose from to get the vaccine from health care facilities to pharmacies, health departments, community centers and mobile sites, recently announced by the President. ales Biden.
“It never hurts to contact your primary care physician,” Marshall said. “And also call just to see who will offer them in your community, because each county is a little different. It is always good to know what is available in your county. ”
Many counties already have online registrations to sign up, no matter what level you are at.
“Right now, the best thing that people can do is basically get on the list so that when we have the vaccine available, we can reach people who want a vaccine and make sure we schedule them.” said Marshall.
In general, there are a few important things to keep in mind.
Be patient, don’t expect everything to happen all at once, it’s better to go online than try to make phone calls and check a company’s Facebook or other social networking site is a great way to find out what it is the latest vaccines offered.
Good luck, stay informed and stay healthy!
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