Callaway County residents who qualify for a COVID-19 vaccine under Phase 1B of Missouri's distribution plan can get in line now.
A survey locals can use to signal interest in the vaccine and sign up for an alert once the shots are available went live Friday on the CallawayCOVID19.com website. It can be completed here: surveymonkey.com/r/2DKZBC2.
"We will be allowed to order vaccine sometime next week and are working on possible clinic dates, times and places," said Sharon Lynch, Callaway County Health Department executive director, in an email Friday.
Earlier this week, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced the beginning of Phase 1B, which will provide vaccines for people over the age of 65, people ages 18-64 who have underlying health conditions, first responders and essential workers.
Approximately 3 million Missourians will be included in Phase 1B, including a million people older than 65. Given that only around 190,000 doses of the vaccine had been administered in the state as of Thursday, and the state had only 410,000 doses total in its possession, that could mean a long wait for some Missourians.
Only about a third of Missouri residents who qualified for the first wave of vaccinations (front-line health care workers and residents and staff in nursing homes) have received at least one dose of the vaccine so far.
Rather than administering vaccines on a first-come, first-served basis, Missouri plans to further divide Phase 1B into three priority tiers:
Tier 1 will receive the vaccine first; the tier includes first responders, those in emergencies services and those who work for public health infrastructure.
Tier 2 includes high-risk individuals: those who have health conditions proven to increase the risk of serious COVID-19 symptoms and complications. Those conditions include Type 2 diabetes, autoimmune conditions, severe obesity, cancer and heart and lung diseases, among others.
Tier 3 includes essential workers and those who work in critical infrastructure - a broad category potential encompassing anyone from reporters to teachers, agriculture workers to power plant employees.
For a more detailed eligibility list, bit.ly/3bHomLx.
Questions on the CCHD's survey are aimed at determining which priority tier survey-takers fall within. The survey asks about preexisting health conditions, race, age and employment status and position. It also requests contact information.
"Once the vaccine is made available for your phase, the Callaway County Health Department will use your information from the survey below to contact you with further instructions on how to schedule an appointment to receive your vaccination," the CCHD's website states.
COVID-19 vaccines will be free to all Missourians, including those without insurance, according to Missouri's vaccination website (covidvaccine.mo.gov).
As of Friday, 4,119 Callaway County residents had been diagnosed with COVID-19, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The CCHD states 411 cases were still active Friday and 33 individuals had died of the disease.