SPRINGFIELD, Mo (KY3) –
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has activated the next phases of vaccination against COVID-19, which includes police and firefighters beginning Friday, Jan. 15, and people at high health risks on Monday, Jan. 18. .
“People are anxious about when it will be their turn, but people need to be patient because we’re thinking about distributing and vaccinating with something we don’t have yet,” said Dr. Robin Trotman, an infectious disease specialist at CoxHealth.
So while the governor will activate phase 1B-Tier 2 of the state’s vaccination plan on Monday, it includes a warning.
“It doesn’t mean we immediately press the‘ GO ’button and start vaccinating people who are in that level 2 or high-risk individual,” said Lisa Marshall, Taney County health director. “We don’t have a clear timetable on this due to the availability of vaccines. Many of us ordered this several weeks ago or even last month in December, but there is still some limited supply.”
But what you can do right now is start figuring out if you qualify as a Level 2 recipient.
The extended group of qualifiers includes anyone 65 years of age or older or adults with any of the following conditions:
cancer
o Chronic kidney disease
or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
o Intellectual and / or developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome
o Heart conditions such as heart failure, CAD (coronary artery disease) or cardiomyopathies
o Immunocompromised state by solid organ transplantation
o Severe obesity (BMI> 40 kg / m2)
or Pregnancy
o Sickle disease
o Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Level 3 has yet to arrive and is not yet activated, which involves essential workers. This includes pre-K-12th grade teachers, daycare workers and the communications sector, energy services, food production and distribution (includes supermarkets and grocery stores), government officials, water and wastewater, nuclear reactions, technology of information and transport (includes trucks) drivers).
Then its Phase 2, which welcomes those who are critically affected by the economy and those who are important for the recovery of the economy, such as manufacturing, finance, higher education staff and people without home.
Phase 3 then involves everyone who wants a shot.
Something to keep in mind?
“We can’t vaccinate everyone who wants it at all stages before moving on to the next stage,” Dr. Trotman noted. “There will be overlay.”
It is also important to understand that there will be several places where the vaccine can be chosen from health facilities to pharmacies, health departments, community centers and mobile sites just announced by President-elect Biden.
“It never hurts to get to your primary care doctor,” Marshall said. “And also just call to see who will provide it to your community because each county is a little different. It’s always good to know what’s in your county.”
Many counties already have online registrations to register, no matter what level you are at.
“Right now, the best thing people can do is basically get on the list so that when we have a vaccine available, we can contact those people who want a vaccine and make sure we schedule them,” Marshall said.
In general, there are some important things to remember.
Be patient, don’t expect it 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’s new in vaccines. offered.
Good luck, stay informed and stay healthy!
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