Missouri National Guard Archives

Missouri has now completed 68 mass vaccination clinics

February 25, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

The governor says more than 66,000 Missourians have received an initial COVID vaccine at a mass vaccination clinic.

The Missouri National Guard, the state Department of Health and Senior Services and Pettis County health officials assist residents at a mass vaccination clinic in west-central Missouri’s Sedalia on February 23, 2021 (photo courtesy of the State Emergency Management Agency)

Governor Mike Parson tells Capitol reporters that 68 mass vaccination clinics have been completed around the state. Another eight are scheduled for Friday. They will take place in Jefferson City, Springfield, in northern Missouri’s Chillicothe and Hannibal, in west-central Missouri’s Clinton, in southern Missouri’s Rolla and West Plains and in the Bootheel town of Caruthersville.

The mass vaccination clinics are operated by the Missouri National Guard, the state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and by local health officials.

The governor has also announced that targeted teams in St. Louis and Kansas City have completed another 24 vaccine clinics, with more planned in the coming weeks. The targeted teams serve vulnerable populations in areas with limited access to health care.

During Thursday’s briefing in Jefferson City, Governor Parson also touted improving numbers for COVID. He says CDC data shows Missouri now ranks second lowest in the nation for average daily COVID cases per 100,000 residents, over the past week.

The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) says Missouri vaccinators have now administered more than 1.1 million COVID shots, which includes first and second doses. That’s about 12 percent of Missouri’s population. DHSS says 373,082 have received both shots.

Missouri lawmaker wants to see statewide mass vaccination event for teachers (AUDIO)

February 24, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

A freshman Missouri lawmaker is calling on the Parson administration to prioritize teachers for COVID vaccinations. State Rep. Michael Burton, D-Lakeshire, wants to see teachers moved from tier three to tier two.

State Rep. Michael Burton, D-Lakeshire, speaks on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on February 23, 2021, as State Rep. Neil Smith (D-St. Louis County) listens (photo: Tim Bommel at House Communications)

“Right now, there’s a potential that they could not get the first vaccination shot for possibly months. Could be possibly two to three months, there’s no guarantee,” Burton says.

State Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) director Dr. Randall Williams told Capitol reporters last week that the Parson administration’s main focus continues to be the most vulnerable and elderly residents.

“Our north star is our most vulnerable, and I think I’ve told you (Capitol reporters) the second thing I look at every morning after I look at the case rate is the percentage of our senior citizens who’ve been vaccinated,” says Dr. Williams.

That percentage is now 38 percent for those 85 and older, and 26 percent for those ages 75-84.

As for Representative Burton, he’s also asking the Parson administration to consider a statewide mass vaccination event for teachers.

“It will make the parents of those students safer, it will make the grandparents of those students safer. And I think that we need to prioritize the teachers,” Burton says.

An online petition is circulating in support of Burton’s call.

“We do have a petition going around right now, it has over 2,000 signatures. It’s been signed from people all across the state,” says Burton.

Burton tells Missourinet he’s had good conversations with Dr. Williams, adding that they both understand where the other is coming from and will keep the conversation going.

Missouri vaccinators have now administered more than one-million total doses of the COVID vaccine. About 709,000 Missourians have now received at least one dose of the vaccine, which is about 11.5 percent of the population.

The Missouri National Guard, DHSS and local health partners are planning multiple mass vaccination events on Wednesday. Events will be taking place in northern Missouri’s Moberly, northwest Missouri’s Princeton, southwest Missouri’s Anderson, west-central Missouri’s Warsaw and in southeast Missouri’s Bollinger County.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full five-minute interview with State Rep. Michael Burton, D-Lakeshire, which was recorded on February 22, 2021:

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.

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.

Friday’s vaccination event in southeast Missouri is a go; Poplar Bluff crews work to clear ice

February 11, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

State officials say Friday’s mass vaccination clinic in southeast Missouri’s Poplar Bluff will continue as scheduled, despite a two-day ice storm.

Members of the Missouri National Guard gather in southeast Missouri’s Poplar Bluff for the January 22, 2021 vaccination event (file photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

About 1,900 people received their first Pfizer COVID vaccinations in Poplar Bluff on January 22. Friday’s event will be for the second COVID shot.

The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Butler County health officials say Friday’s event will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Black River Coliseum (BRC). The BRC is a 5,000 seat multi-purpose arena.

Butler County health officials say Poplar Bluff Police and street crews have been working to clear ice and ensure that sidewalks and the parking lot are safe.

Golf carts from the Poplar Bluff parks department will be used to help those unable to walk from the parking lot to the front door. And the Black River Coliseum’s top drive is open for anyone dropping off or picking up those who will be receiving their COVID vaccination.

Poplar Bluff was hit hard by the ice storm that hit Wednesday and Thursday. Parts of southeast Missouri received about a half-inch of ice during the storm. That half-inch included sleet, which came after freezing rain.

Most schools across southeast Missouri have been closed. The ice storm also caused numerous crashes on I-55 and I-57.

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.

Missouri health officials say future distribution of COVID vaccine is based on following the rules

February 5, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor announced Thursday in Jefferson City that there have been issues with the COVID vaccine distribution process, and warns that there will be consequences for vaccinators that allow people to jump the line.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams briefs Capitol reporters on February 4, 2021, as Governor Parson listens (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

Governor Mike Parson briefed Capitol reporters during a Statehouse press conference, emphasizing that his administration will vaccinate the most vulnerable and those 65 and older first.

“This is part of the process that we’re going to put in place to be able to help that group that is in that tier and we’re going to maintain that. If that is not followed, then we will do other actions,” Parson says.

State Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams says future distribution of the vaccine is based on following the rules. During the press conference, Dr. Williams talked about one recent example of a vaccinator not following proper guidelines.

“It came to my attention, a pharmacist in an area called us and said look, I just know that they’re giving it to a group that’s not and so I called them,” says Dr. Williams. “I called the CEO of that institution and I said true or not true and he said true. And I said why, and he kind of went and he said I’m just going to tell you, we did it.”

Dr. Williams is not releasing the vaccinator’s name.

Governor Parson also criticized House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, for recently getting a COVID shot in Jefferson City, saying she cut in line.

Leader Quade told the “St. Louis Post-Dispatch” after that event that she had asked the personnel administering the vaccine questions about the process.

“We hadn’t heard anything, of course, other than just word of mouth and then when we went there they were of course like- yes, everyone. Later to find out that wasn’t for us. And that’s, you know, a frustrating thing,” Quade told the newspaper.

The governor outlined some positive numbers, during the briefing. He says the state’s COVID-19 positivity rate is now 9.3 percent, 15 points lower than November. He describes this development as extremely encouraging.

He also says about 600,000 COVID doses have been administered to Missourians. Governor Parson says supply continues to be the limiting factor. Governor Parson says the state is committed to giving every Missourian the opportunity to eventually receive a vaccine regardless of where they live.

Mass vaccination events were conducted Thursday in three rural Missouri communities: northwest Missouri’s Chillicothe, southern Missouri’s Rolla and southeast Missouri’s Farmington. All three areas have large elderly populations. 975 doses were administered in Chillicothe, where the Missouri National Guard and health employees worked in sleet.

Governor Parson also says more than 315,000 cases of personal protective equipment (PPE) have now been shipped to Missouri health care providers, including 24 million gowns and 20 million gloves.

During the press conference, the governor was also asked about the unemployment overpayment controversy. Parson reiterates that residents who received unemployment overpayments should have to repay the money, with a payment plan.

“I don’t think if there’s a mistake made on both sides there ought to be some mutual understanding of how we make up that difference,” Parson says. “So if that means somebody paying something off over a five-year period of time or whatever the timeslots are, if they know they’ve got it and can then they should.”

The governor’s position is at odds with members of the bipartisan Missouri House Special Committee on Government Oversight, which has criticized the state Department of Labor’s position.

State Labor director Anna Hui testified this week that the state overpaid more than $150 million in unemployment benefits in 2020. About 46,000 Missourians have been impacted, and the oversight committee learned this week that a Kansas City woman is being told she must repay $23,000.

10 mass vaccination clinics planned this week in Missouri

February 2, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The state is holding ten high volume COVID-19 vaccination events this week. 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.

10 mass vaccination clinics planned this week in Missouri

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

For event sign-up information, visit MOStopsCOVID.com/events.

Region A
• County: Henry
• Location: Clinton First Baptist Church, 1531 N Vansant Rd., Clinton, MO 64735
• Date: Friday, February 5, 2021
• Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (or until supply is out)

Region B
• County: Marion and Ralls
• Location: Hannibal Inn & Conference Center, 4141 Market St., Hannibal, MO 63401
• Date: Friday, February 5, 2021
• Time: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (or until supply is out)

Region C
• County: St. Francois
• Address: Community Civic Center, 2 Black Knight Dr., Farmington, MO 63640
• Date: Thursday, February 4, 2021
• Time: 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (or until supply is out)

Region D
• County: Greene
• Location: Ozark Empire Fair Grounds, 3001 N. Grant Ave., Springfield, MO 65802
• Date: Friday, February 5, 2021
• Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (or until supply is out)

Region E
• County: Pemiscott
• Location: Centry Casino Caruthersville, 777 E Third St., Caruthersville, MO 63830
• Date: Friday, February 5, 2021
• Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (or until supply is out)

Region F
• County: Cole
• Location: The Linc, 1299 Lafayette St., Jefferson City, MO 65101
• Date: Friday, February 5, 2021
• Time: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (or until supply is out)

Region G
• County: Douglas
• Location: MOCH Wellness Center, 603 NW 10th Ave., Ava, MO 65608
• Date: Saturday, February 6, 2021
• Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (or until supply is out)

Region H
Site 1
• County: Livingston
• Location: Methodist Church, 1414 Walnut St., Chillicothe, MO 64601
• Date: Thursday, February 4, 2021
• Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (or until supply is out)

Site 2
• County: Harrison
• Location: South Harrison High School, 3400 Bulldog Ave., Bethany, MO 64424
• Date: Saturday, February 6, 2021
• Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (or until supply is out)

Region I
• County: Phelps
• Location: Phelps Health Respiratory Screening Station, 1000 W 10th St., Rolla, MO 65401
• Date: Thursday and Friday, February 4 – 5, 2021
• Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (or until supply is out)

The first week of mass vaccination events took place last weekend with nearly 20,000 Missourians receiving an initial coronavirus vaccine dose. To date, Missouri providers have completed more than 533,660 doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

In total, there will be 27 separate mass vaccination events hosted by the state. A press release from Gov. Mike Parson’s office says the National Guard and DHSS vaccination teams will return to each site after 21 days to give the second dose vaccinations.

Missouri takes CVS and Walgreens vaccine; Nine mass vaccination clinics this week

January 29, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

A federal program Missouri signed up for allows Walgreens and CVS pharmacies to vaccinate patients and workers within the state’s long-term care centers. During a press conference today at the state Capitol, Gov. Mike Parson says he thinks the companies overestimated how many coronavirus vaccinations they could give. So, the state is going to take some vaccine off their hands.

Missouri takes CVS and Walgreens vaccine; Nine mass vaccination clinics this week

“We did get permission this week to take some of the doses, whatever amount we felt deemed necessary, to take that doses back, put it in our system, back into Missouri’s control, where we could put it out to the health care facilities across this state,” Parson says.

Data on their websites show Walgreens and CVS have given about 66,000 total vaccinations within the state’s long-term care centers and skilled nursing facilities. The CDC’s COVID-19 data tracker shows about 61,000 vaccinations have been completed within Missouri’s long-term care centers. Missourinet has contacted the state Health and Senior Services Department to find out how much Missouri vaccine the companies have on hand and how much the state is taking from the companies.

“Walgreens and CVS will still be vaccinating our long-term care facilities,” says Parson.

Meanwhile, nine mass vaccination events are being held this week in Missouri for eligible residents to get the COVID-19 shot. Parson says they will be in Pettis, Randolph, Lincoln, Jasper, Newton, Cape Girardeau, Audrain, Howell, Andrew, and Pulaski Counties. He says the clinics will have the capability of giving up to 2,500 doses per day, per location.

Demand for the coronavirus vaccination is greater than the current supply the state has.

“Once that vaccine comes in more as time goes by, we can expand those mass vaccinations to whatever that limit would be,” says Parson. “We could do 40-50 sites in one day if we get the vaccine to be able to do that.”

Those eligible to get vaccinated must pre-register.

The Missouri National Guard is helping the state with traffic control and administrative duties. The state’s first vaccination clinic, held last week in southeast Missouri’s Poplar Bluff, had a line of cars for miles.

For more information about these events, call the appropriate health department.

Missouri organizes 9 mass vaccination clinics

January 20, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The Missouri National Guard and the state are working to organize nine mass coronavirus vaccination sites across the state. During today’s press conference at the state Capitol in Jefferson City, Gov. Mike Parson says the sites could be up and running by the end of the month.

Missouri organizes 9 mass vaccination clinics

“Each team will have the capability to administer as many 2,500 doses per day,” says Parson. “We will be starting in southeast Missouri. We will have a setup this weekend to make sure we run all the traps – to make sure everything is going well as we expand into the weeks to come.”

KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau reports the southeast Missouri vaccination event will be in Poplar Bluff on Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hydro Adventures. The vaccinations will be free. There are 1,000 doses designated for the clinic.

Dates and locations for the other sites will be released once they are finalized.

Missouri National Guard mass vaccination teams will be made up of 30 support workers, who will help with traffic control, administrative support, and data input.

Parson says targeted vaccination teams will also be in Kansas City and St. Louis to work with clergies to assist the most vulnerable populations.

“The purpose of all these vaccine teams is to support our existing vaccinators and provide additional vaccination sources for eligible Missourians that may otherwise have a hard time receiving one,” says the governor.

These will consist of four-person teams with one vaccinator and three support staff to assist with administrative duties. A press release from the Governor’s Office says targeted vaccinated teams will have the capability of giving up to 160 doses per day, per team.

The National Guard will also be deploying administration teams to help with data backlogs at the local level. Administrative support teams, made up of three people, will help providers with paperwork and data backlogs due to vaccination entry requirements.

“We are proud to be a small part of the whole-of-government effort to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to our fellow Missourians,” said Maj. Gen. Levon Cumpton, Missouri National Guard Adjutant General. “This effort is truly a team effort, led by DHSS and consisting of multiple physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, local governments and others.”

Vaccine supply remains extremely limited. Parson says the mass vaccination and target vaccination sites will ensure that vaccines are being administered as efficiently as possible and that every Missourian will have the opportunity to eventually receive a vaccine regardless of where they live.