JEFFERSON CITY – The owner of a local pharmacy is frustrated by the “lack of information” offered to pharmacies about the vaccine.
“We’re not getting any information. We have pharmacies across the state from independent pharmacies in Missouri that are ready and willing to administer the vaccine,” said Anthony DeShay, owner of Flow’s Pharmacy.
He wants people to know that his pharmacy does not remove people because they do not want to give the vaccine, but because they simply do not have it.
“I think it’s to the point where people think we’re actually going to give them back, because we don’t think they fit or qualify, or because they don’t complete our pharmacy. When the reason is, you just don’t have it, “DeShay said.
He tried to get in touch with someone above to get to the bottom of this.
“I tried to email and call. I tried to go to the top. I tried to email Parsons about it. Nothing,” DeShay said.
The Governor’s Office provided information on phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccination plan on Thursday afternoon.
The director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Dr. Randall Williams, also issued a nationwide health order on Thursday to vaccinate people in Phase 1A, Phase 1B – Tier 1 and Phase 1B – Tier 2.
The order shows who can be vaccinated at what stage and those who administer the vaccines.
Vaccine distribution order
The bureau said at least 27% of phase 1A received the first dose of vaccine. More than 160,000 people received the initial dose and more than 22,000 were completely vaccinated with the two-dose series.
Phase 1B – Level 1, which includes first responders, emergency services / management and public health infrastructure, was activated on Thursday, 14 January
Phase 1B – Level 1
First responders include all first federal, state and / or local respondents beyond EMS / EMT in Phase 1A, including law enforcement, fire services, corrections and certain social service agencies.
Emergency services / management includes federal, state, or local government employees in emergency management and public works agencies, including city police departments and fire stations and county sheriff’s offices.
Columbia Fire Assistant Chief Brad Fraizer said his department had already begun receiving the vaccine last Friday. He said he was happy that the first respondents were a priority and said this would bring security to the community.
“We believe that vaccinating firefighters in communities will be a good thing,” Fraizer said. “So we look forward to this. We are thinking about the level of protection not only for firefighters, but also for the citizens we come in contact with.”
It also includes resources from the private sector, such as private security organizations and private providers of emergency medical services, as well as non-profit organizations designated as partner volunteer agencies.
Public health infrastructure includes administrators and staff of federal, state, or local public health agencies and other health care workers who “perform the functions necessary to operate Missouri health care infrastructure that was not included in Phase 1A.”
Phase 1B – Level 2
Phase 1B – Level 2 will be activated on January 18th. This level includes people at high risk and anyone over the age of 65.
People at high risk include any adults with cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, heart disease, weakened immune systems, severe obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, type 2 diabetes and or people with intellectual and / or developmental disabilities.
Phase 1B – Level 3
There is currently no start date for Phase 1B – Level 3.
The level will include K-12 educators, childcare providers, communications sector, dams sector, energy sector, initial food / agriculture sector, government, information technology sector, nuclear reactors / materials / waste sector, transport sector and waste / wastewater sector.
The initial food and agriculture sector includes employees of certain food production and processing units and related operations, which “give priority to mass production, distribution, transport and wholesale and retail, including the grocery and food shops”.
The Bureau stressed that anyone who qualifies under Phase 1A is still eligible to receive the vaccine.
Where to get the vaccine if you enter these levels
The Governor’s Office says that anyone in Phase 1B and Phase 1B – Level 1 should work through the employer and / or association to access the vaccine.
Those in Phase 1B – Level 2 should contact their local pharmacy or healthcare provider or visit MOStopsCOVID.com to find out when vaccines may be available and how to receive them.
A list of vaccinators and regional vaccine implementation teams will be available here on 15 January.
Employers and associations are encouraged to use the list to connect with a vaccinator or regional vaccine implementation team in their area and to make a plan for vaccinating their teams.
For more information on specific sectors in Phase 1B, click here.