The Adair County Health Department announced Tuesday that the second round of COVID-19 vaccines will be issued Wednesday, Jan. 27, to targeted populations, not the general public.
The Health Department will administer these vaccines via a drive-through clinic from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. at the NEMO Fair Grounds. The limited number of vaccines are reserved for remaining long-term care workers, hospital and healthcare workers, first responders, social services workers, teachers and staff in K-12 schools, childcare workers, communications and information technology workers, energy and utilities workers, public works workers, critical manufacturing workers and government workers.
Those in the target groups interested in receiving a vaccine must register with the Adair County Health Department before the event. Registration can be completed by calling the Health Department at 660-730-6100 or 660-730-6200.
“We really need the public — particularly the general public age 65 and older — to be patient and not call either of the registration numbers,” Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department, wrote in a press release. “The reality is that we are receiving only limited doses of the vaccine and they must be administered in a particular order to particular target groups.”
LeBaron said Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services added people 65 years and older as a target group for vaccines, but the initial target groups remain the priority. As more vaccines become available, LeBaron said, they will be administered to people 65 and older.
Truman State University faculty are not eligible for the vaccine at this time.
Faculty Senate President Scott Alberts said the Faculty Senate COVID-19 working group has begun talking about the process of providing faculty, staff and students with the vaccine and how it will be distributed.
Brenda Higgins, associate vice president for student health and wellness, could not be reached for comment.
LeBaron said the Adair County Health Department has ordered additional vaccines, which will be administered through a curbside clinic at the Health Department as they arrive.
These vaccines are reserved for individuals aged 65 and older and individuals at an increased risk for severe illness. This includes people diagnosed with cancer, kidney disease, COPD, intellectual or developmental disabilities, heart conditions, immunocompromised conditions, severe obesity, sickle cell disease, diabetes, asthma and pregnant women.
Registration for the curbside clinic vaccines is required and can be completed through the Adair County Health Department website.