KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Missouri is implementing a large-scale plan to include those eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Department of Health and Primary Services announced Monday that it has selected nine hospitals and health care systems in the Kansas City area to administer a portion of its 76,000 weekly doses this month.
“This is the first time we know for sure what level of vaccination we will receive at any given time,” Charlie Shields, president and CEO of Truman University Medical / Health Centers, said at a Jackson County legislative meeting Monday.
At the same meeting, Shield said the hospital ‘s current limited vaccine supply was delaying future meetings.
“We may be dark for tomorrow, and we think we’re going to get this load of 5,000 either late tomorrow or early Wednesday, and we’d be able to start again,” Shields said.
Under the new plan, Truman Medical Centers, Liberty Hospital and North Kansas City Hospital will receive doses this week and on the third week of the month.
The following hospitals will receive their filters in the second and fourth weeks:
- Bothwell Regional Medical Center in Sedalia.
- Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville.
- Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall.
- Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton.
- HCA Health System.
- Health of St. Luke.
Shields reported that 41 Action News vaccine meetings are scheduled in March.
“It’s up to getting vaccinated, as soon as we can get vaccinated, we’ll give people a vaccine,” Shields said.
Shields said those receiving the vaccine should make an appointment, but urged patience as about 35 recipients handle 4,000 to 5,000 calls a day.
“People may get a busy signal, and we urge them to keep going back,” Shields said.
The Missouri Hospital Association said the selected medical facilities can administer at least 5,000 vaccines per week. Institutions that did not make the cut this time, can be considered in the next round.