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Next week’s mass vaccination events in Missouri have been scheduled

February 26, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

Next week’s state-organized mass vaccination events in Missouri have been scheduled

Missouri has posted details about next week’s state-organized mass coronavirus vaccination events. Clay, Scotland, Henry, Jefferson, Jasper, Cape Girardeau, Cooper, Harrison, and Crawford Counties plan to hold clinics. Most of the events are for first-round shots.

There are also currently still openings for Saturday’s vaccination event in northern Missouri’s Unionville from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Missouri’s vaccination plan currently allows health care workers, long-term care staff and patients, first responders, those ages 65 and older, and ones with certain health conditions to get immunized.

For more information about these events, go to mostopscovid.com/events.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Health / Medicine, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: COVID-19

Missouri vaccination update: Get ready teachers, childcare centers, grocery workers

February 25, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The next tier of Missouri’s coronavirus vaccination plan will be activated on March 15. That means all teachers, faculty, and staff in public, private, and nonprofit pre K-12 will become eligible. So will state licensed childcare center workers, some food production employees, as well as grocery and convenience stores workers.

Missouri is currently vaccinating residents in Phase 1A, Phase 1B – Tier 1, Phase 1B – Tier 2.

During a press briefing today, Gov. Mike Parson says the next group to become eligible, Phase 1B – Tier 3, allows 550,000 additional Missourians to get vaccinated.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson briefs Capitol reporters in Jefferson City on February 4, 2021 (file photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

“Tier 3 represents another very important part of our society,” says Parson. “They are the workers in many of the industries we depend on each day to keep our day-to-day lives operating normally.”

Earlier this month, Missouri’s 2017-2021 Teachers of the Year sent a letter to state Department of Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams asking him to prioritize educators and support staff for immediate coronavirus vaccinations. Missouri’s K-12 schools have been operating for months with at least partial in-person education.

The following is a statement from the Chair of Missouri’s Education Roundtable, Dr. Doug Hayter:

“The Education Roundtable, representing eight major education organizations in Missouri, appreciates Governor Parson’s announcement allowing educators to begin receiving COVID-19 vaccinations. Getting educators vaccinated as soon as possible is an important step toward keeping educators in the classroom and providing our students with in-person instruction.”

Missouri’s Education Roundtable is made up of the American Federation of Teachers (Missouri), the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals, the Missouri Association of School Administrators, the Missouri National Education Association, the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, the Missouri School Boards’ Association, the Missouri State Teachers Association, and the Missouri PTA.

Parson says vaccine supply remains limited, but he expects slow and steady increases.

“We heard news this week that the pharmaceutical companies are increasing their production,” says Parson. “The federal government is planning to increase our allotment and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is expected to be approved at any time.”

The governor says he expects that Missouri will be able to order vaccine from Johnson & Johnson by early next week.

He says if supply continues to improve, Parson says he thinks Phase 2 of Missouri’s vaccination plan will begin mid-April.

A press release today from Parson’s office says the state also continues to move forward with regional mass vaccination events. There have been 68 completed across Missouri, and more than 66,500 Missourians have received an initial vaccine dose at one of these events.

The release says targeted teams in St. Louis and Kansas City have completed 24 vaccine clinics with more planned in the coming days and weeks. These teams serve vulnerable populations in communities with limited access to health care.

For more information about the next tier of eligible Missourians, click here.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Agriculture, Business, Education, Health / Medicine, Legislature, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: American Federation of Teachers, COVID-19, Dr. Doug Hayter, governor mike parson, Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals, Missouri Association of School Administrators, Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Missouri PTA, Missouri School Boards' Association, Missouri State Teachers Association, Missouri-National Education Association, Missouri’s Education Roundtable

Several mega coronavirus vaccination events planned this week in Missouri

February 23, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

Mass coronavirus vaccination event photo courtesy of Missourinet affiliate KREI in Farmington

Several state-organized high-volume coronavirus vaccination clinics are happening today in Benton, Morgan, Ozark, McDonald, Laclede, and Lewis Counties in Missouri. Other events are scheduled to be held Wednesday in Bollinger, Mercer, Benton, and McDonald Counties. Mercer County has a mass vaccination clinic scheduled on Thursday and Putnam County has one set for Saturday in Unionville from 9-6 p.m.

Some Missouri counties are also holding immunization events this week for coronavirus booster shots only.

Eligible Missourians can get vaccinated, including first responders, health care workers, long-term care center workers and patients, and those 65 years or older or with certain health conditions.

Times, locations, and sign-up are available by going to mostopscovid.com/events.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Health / Medicine, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: COVID-19, mass coronavirus vaccination events

Missouri House Education Committee chair back at Capitol, after recovering from COVID

February 21, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

A veteran state lawmaker who chairs the Missouri House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee says he’s recovered from COVID-19.

State Rep. Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, tells Missourinet that he returned to the Statehouse in Jefferson City on Wednesday. He says his symptoms were fairly mild compared to what others have experienced. One of his symptoms was fatigue, and Bayse says he slept a lot.

State Rep. Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, works in his Capitol office as he waits to vote on a supplemental budget on April 8, 2020 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Basye is one of a number of Missouri lawmakers in both chambers who have battled COVID. The Missouri House missed a full week of session in January, due to the rising number of cases in the Capitol building.

Basye, who’s in his fourth and final House term, says he’s very thankful for Missouri’s medical personnel.

His committee will have a busy morning on Tuesday. They’ll hear testimony on several education bills, including Basye’s legislation to establish a recall procedure for school board members.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Education, Health / Medicine, Legislature, News Tagged With: COVID-19, Jefferson City, Missouri House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, Rocheport, State Rep. Chuck Basye

Missouri Teachers of the Year want K-12 community to get vaccinated immediately

February 16, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

“Our state’s teachers and support staff have faithfully risked their lives this year,” a letter says from Missouri’s 2017-2021 Teachers of the Year. It is addressed to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams and it presses him to let teachers and support staff get their coronavirus vaccinations immediately.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson visits a St. Louis school on July 29, 2020 (file photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

The letter is signed by Darrion Cockrell of Lindbergh Schools, Melissa Grandel of the Fordland School District, Shelly Parks of Francis Howell in St. Charles, Beth Davey of Ritenour Schools, and Darbie Valenti Huff of the St. Joseph School District. Three of them say they have been infected with the virus and say all cases are from likely exposures at school.

Most Missouri schools have been operating at least partially in-person classes for months. According to Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) data, 27 of the state’s 551 public districts and charter schools are currently offering distanced learning only.

Under Missouri’s coronavirus vaccination plan, citizens currently eligible to get immunized include those in the health care field, first responders, long-term care patients and staff, individuals 65 years or older, and Missourians with certain health conditions. Teachers are eligible to get immunized now if they are 65 years or older or have health conditions that could put them at risk of developing COVID-19.

The next phase of the state’s plan will allow teachers, faculty, and staff in public, private, and nonprofit pre K-12 schools to get vaccinated. But that phase might not begin until April or so.

“We have stepped up to the challenge to meet the educational, social, and physical needs of students, families, and communities in every way possible. We have been thanked as heroes – and just as often have been accused of ‘not doing enough.’ And yet, we have continued to place the needs of our children as the first priorities. Imagine, then, the dismay and chagrin teachers feel in knowing that many of our state’s school employees with Phase 1B Tier 3 may not have access to the vaccine for several months. Therefore, depending on the region in which they teach and live, the current distribution plan may not provide teachers and support staff full viral protection before the end of this school year,” the letter says.

The teachers say they have concerns about addendums and lowered safety precautions they say many school districts are using.

“Many districts are no longer identifying close contacts if most individuals were presumably masked. Many districts are utilizing ‘modified’ quarantines in which exposed students are still in buildings. Many districts have abandoned research-backed guidelines of 6-foot distanced learning for the convenience of full classrooms. Few Missouri counties employ a mask mandate, and many schools are holding instruction without mask protocols. This indicates an even more pressing need for Missouri educators to receive higher prioritization to the vaccine,” they say.

According to the group, 26 states are vaccinating educators immediately, including seven of Missouri’s eight bordering states.

“Policy makers and community leaders have asked school buildings to be open. Missouri teachers and support staff are doing what has been asked of us. We asked that you do the right thing,” they say.

Missouri, along with every other U.S. state, has had a high demand for the vaccine but not enough vaccine to go around. In a recent legislative committee hearing about the state’s vaccine rollout, Dr. Williams said the state had to make some tough decisions about Missouri’s priority list.

During this month’s Missouri Board of Education meeting, State Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven said she shares the desire for teachers to be a priority. However, she said she also understands the way the state has set up its priority list.

“When that next tier opens, there may be communities who are called upon to prioritize their distribution and we are going to ask them to really think carefully about how do we make sure our teachers get in when they are eligible,” she said. “Additionally, we have a number of our teachers who are currently eligible because they are over 65 or have a pre-existing condition and we are encouraging them to seek that vaccination as quickly as they can.”

DESE spokeswoman Mallory McGowin said she wishes the next phase would launch earlier. She went on to say the vaccination is one layer of the state’s overall strategy to fight the virus.

“We’ve used that swiss cheese analogy – that we’re stacking layers of protection on top of one another like swiss cheese. And so there’s holes in every layer of protection, but the more layers you add, the more holes you cover up and better protect the students and staff members in your building,” she said.

The state has also emphasized the need for masking, handwashing, and social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus but wearing a mask in public is not required. Instead, Gov. Mike Parson has left coronavirus-related restrictions up to local leaders. Safety measures within schools have also been local control decisions.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Education, Health / Medicine, Legislature, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Beth Davey, Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven, COVID-19, Darbie Valenti Huff, Darrion Cockrell, DHSS Director Dr. Randall Williams, governor mike parson, Mallory McGowin, Melissa Grandel, Missouri Board of Education, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Shelly Parks

Missouri pulls plug on this week’s mass vaccination events due to winter weather

February 16, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

Gov. Mike Parson says this week’s state-organized COVID-19 mass vaccination events have been canceled. A press release from Parson’s office says extreme winter weather has led to the change.

February 2021 mass vaccination clinic in southeast Missouri. Photo courtesy of Missourinet affiliate KREI in Farmington

“Missouri is experiencing severe winter weather that makes driving dangerous and threatens the health and safety of anyone exposed to the cold. These conditions will also likely delay some vaccine shipments,” says Parson. “We want to protect the safety of everyone involved in the mass vaccination events, from the patients being vaccinated to the volunteers who generously support these events.”

The release says the state is making every effort to reschedule these events, but individuals who were registered are encouraged to reach out to other vaccinators in their region in the meantime. Missourians scheduled to receive a vaccine this week through other providers should check with their vaccinator for any potential schedule changes.

To ensure that no vaccine doses are endangered, Parson says arriving vaccine shipments for this week’s events will remain in each of the nine Missouri State Highway Patrol regions across the state and redistributed to community hospitals with emergency generators. Community hospitals can give vaccinations in compliance with Missouri’s current activated tiers to eligible local health care workers, first responders, and high-risk residents.

This week, the mass vaccination program was also scheduled to administer second doses of the Pfizer vaccine. These events are being postponed, but the state says doses will be retained in the region. Plans are being made to give these doses as soon as possible.

The slight delay will not affect the efficacy of the booster dose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the second dose may be administered as late as six weeks after the first dose.

The Missouri National Guard’s targeted vaccination teams working to vaccinate vulnerable at-risk citizens in St. Louis and Kansas City will focus this week on locations that do not require citizens to travel to be vaccinated, including senior apartments, retirement centers, and similar locations.

“We are extremely appreciative of all the hard work, sacrifices, and rapid adjustments that are being made by our state and local partners to quickly get the vaccine into arms across our state,” says Parson.

For additional information, updates on mass vaccination events, and other vaccinators in your region, visit MOStopsCOVID.com.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Health / Medicine, Legislature, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19, governor mike parson, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Missouri National Guard, Missouri State Highway Patrol, State Emergency Management Agency

New program helps older Missourians access coronavirus vaccine

February 16, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is partnering with Missouri’s Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) to help seniors get vaccinated. A press release from the state says a new program has been launched that is designed to help older Missourians access coronavirus vaccine.

The state says the program will give seniors hands-on assistance with online vaccination registration, coordinate round trip transportation to and from their vaccination appointments, and conduct reminder calls for their second doses.

“Navigating the web and registering online can be a challenge for seniors, so we’re working closely with the AAAs to provide hands-on assistance with the process and make sure that folks have safe transportation to their appointments,” says Jessica Bax, Director of the Division of Senior and Disability Services. “This partnership with the AAAs will ensure all Missouri seniors are able to access their vaccine.”

Seniors age 60 and older can get help with registration by calling their local Area Agencies on Aging toll-free hotline.

“AAAs are a trusted resource, rooted in every community across the State of Missouri,” says Ann McGruder, Executive Director of the Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging. “They are dedicated to serving seniors and meeting all their needs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. AAAs will play a vital role as DHSS works to ensure that every older Missourian has access to a COVID-19 vaccine.”

Under Missouri’s coronavirus vaccination plan, those eligible to get immunized include individuals in the health care field, first responders, long-term care patients and staff, those 65 years and older, and Missourians with certain health conditions.

More information about the new program is available at MOStopsCovid.com/seniors.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Health / Medicine, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Ann McGruder, COVID-19, Division of Senior and Disability Services, Jessica Bax, Missouri Area Agencies on Aging, Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

This week’s mass vaccination events announced in Missouri

February 15, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

Photo courtesy of Missourinet affiliate KREI in Farmington

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and Gov. Mike Parson have announced this week’s coronavirus vaccination locations in each of the nine regions in the state. This is the fourth consecutive week of state-organized mass vaccination events.

“While weather forecasts indicate Missouri will experience frigid temperatures this week, DHSS, the Missouri National Guard, State Emergency Management Agency, and our local partners remain dedicated to our shared goal of getting vaccines into the arms of every Missourian who wants one as quickly as possible,” Parson says in a press release. “We thank all Missourians for their continued interest in getting the vaccine. Everyone will have an opportunity to receive a vaccine as soon as supply allows.”

Due to potentially dangerous and changing weather conditions, Missourians should visit the website below prior to traveling to confirm their regions mass vaccination event has not been canceled.

For event locations and times, visit MOStopsCovid.com/events.

A press release from Parson’s office says the National Guard, DHSS, and SEMA teams will return to each site after 21 days for Pfizer vaccines and 28 days for Moderna vaccines to give the second doses. Unless otherwise notified of a location change, the state says individuals should plan to return for their second dose at the same site that they received their first dose.

Larger Missouri hospitals and other private providers may hold their own vaccination events, but these events are not hosted by the Missouri National Guard, DHSS, or SEMA. The state is committing about 53% of weekly vaccine allocations to these hospitals and 23% to the regional mass vaccination events. The remaining 24% will go to local public health agencies, federally qualified health centers, and other enrolled community providers.

As of Sunday night, Parson’s office says more than 871,000 total doses have been completed by Missouri providers since last December.

Missourians who would like to register for a vaccination are encouraged to use Missouri’s Vaccine Navigator or to reach out to health centers in their area. A list of vaccinators as well as the latest vaccine updates can be found at MOStopsCOVID.com.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Health / Medicine, Legislature, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: COVID-19, governor mike parson, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Missouri National Guard, Missouri Vaccine Navigator, State Emergency Management Agency

Parson signs $324 million emergency package for rent and utility needs

February 11, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

Gov. Mike Parson has signed into law today a bill giving $324 million in emergency aid to help struggling renters and landlords in Missouri. The plan could cover some rent and utility costs.

Gov. Mike Parson delivering his State of the State address on Jan. 27, 2021 (Photo courtesy of his Flickr page)

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) was passed by Congress in December 2020. The program’s passage made funding available to state and local governments to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It includes up to 12 months of assistance for overdue rent, forward rental help, overdue utility payments, and utility forward assistance. Utility help includes electricity, gas, water and sewer, trash removal, and certain energy costs.

“HB 16 will provide much needed assistance to tenants and landlords across the state. COVID-19’s economic impacts have created hard times for many Missourians, and we are happy to provide this immediate relief,” Parson says in a press release. “I applaud the work of the General Assembly, House Budget Chair Cody Smith, and Senate Appropriations Chair Dan Hegeman for their work in getting this legislation across the finish line for the people of Missouri.”

The Missouri Housing Development Commission will administer the program funds. For additional information and the application portal, click here.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Business, Legislature, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: COVID-19, Emergency Rental Assistance Program, governor mike parson, House Budget Chair Cody Smith, Missouri Housing Development Commission, Senate Appropriations Chair Dan Hegeman

Missouri releases list of this week’s mass vaccination events

February 10, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The state is organizing high volume COVID-19 vaccination clinics this week in ten Missouri counties. Some of the events are still open. Others have all of their spots filled.

Photos courtesy of Missourinet affiliate KREI in Farmington

They are being held this week in Henry, Washington, Stone, Butler, Taney, Shannon, Livingston, Dent, Harrison, and Clinton counties.

The state, along with the Missouri National Guard, Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), and local health care systems are putting on the clinics. The teams will return to each site after 21 days or 28 days to give the second dose vaccinations. The state says individuals should get their second dose from the same provider they received the first dose from.

Missourians who are eligible to get a vaccination include health care workers, long-term care patients and workers, first responders, those 65 years and older, and individuals with certain health conditions who are at risk of getting the coronavirus.

To view this week’s events, click here.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Health / Medicine, Legislature, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: COVID-19, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Missouri National Guard

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