COVID-19 vaccinations are underway in Missouri. Turnout has been low with only 3.9% of the population being vaccinated.
As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, Webster faculty and students are increasingly eager to receive their vaccine. The state has been criticized for its slow rollout, and the supply of vaccines is limited. Many are left wondering what they should do to not only receive a vaccine but when and where to go to get one.
The state has three phases of distribution, but the phases are broken into subsections. The phases and sections are Phase 1A, Phase 1B Tier 1, Phase 1B Tier 2, Phase 1B Tier 3, Phase 2 and Phase 3. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ website breaks down who exactly falls under each phase and can be found here:
https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/info-graphic-alt/vaccine-availability.html
Currently, the state is in Phase 1B. This means Phase 2 and Phase 3 are the only groups still ineligible.
The list of those who qualify under Phase 1A vaccine are hospital staff, home health staff, vaccinator staff, COVID-19 test administrators, high-risk healthcare providers and “all remaining patient-facing healthcare providers.” The state has moved to Phase 1B, which has expanded the list to include anyone 65 and older, adults with severe health conditions, emergency service workers such as law enforcement and firefighters, and educators. A full breakdown can be found on https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/info-graphic-alt/vaccine-availability.html.
Despite the long list of qualified citizens, the state has suffered from severe shortages of the COVID-19 vaccine. Due to the shortage, there is a growing waiting list for the vaccine.
Numerous vaccination sites have popped up to expedite vaccine admissions over the previous month. According to Fox 2 News, St. Louis County had five vaccination sites as of Feb. 8. Spring Schmidt, acting co-director of the St. Louis County Department of Public Health, stated St. Louis is “committed to vaccinating at least 5,000 people every week.”
According to usafacts.org, Missouri has received 1,138,575 doses of the vaccine as of Feb. 16. Of that total, 878,941 doses have been administered to 10.3% of the population. In total, 3.9% of Missouri’s population has received the two doses of the vaccine required for full vaccination. The state of Missouri is statistically similar to its neighbors Kansas and Illinois in terms of vaccination rollout. St. Louis County and City have administered more doses than the rest of the state but has a full vaccination-rate lower than the state’s 3.9% total.
The wait for a vaccine is a long process at this point. The state’s lack of supply and increased demand will ensure these shortages exist for now. Those looking to become vaccinated can register with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services by calling their COVID-19 hotline at (877)435-8411.
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