More information is now available on how some Wright County residents can access the COVID-19 vaccine.
Last Friday, Mercy announced its plans to set up a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Mountain Grove location, Mercy Clinic Family Medicine (120 W. 16th St.).
This comes one week after they launched an online portal for eligible patients to request the vaccine.
“As a physician, I can tell you that many of my patients are very eager to get their COVID vaccine,” said Dr. David Barbe, Mercy Vice President of Primary Care. “I’m pleased to see the interest, as these shots offer the best protection against the pandemic. Once the state told us we could start immunizing our older and most vulnerable populations, our goal was to do so quickly and conveniently.”
According to a news release, Mercy plans to hold these regional shots clinics every Saturday. The other locations include Mercy Branson Multispecialty, Mercy Bolivar Multispecialty and Mercy Rolla Multispecialty. There may be clinics set up in Aurora and Cassville in the near future.
“We’ve been allocated the Pfizer vaccine, which requires ultra-cold storage,” said David Wolfrath, Mercy Executive Director of Pharmacy. “It’s a logistical challenge to transport it to these vaccine clinics, but our team got to work and figured it out. Our caregivers jumped in to give the shots, and we quickly filled our available appointments.”
Patients should go online to www.mercy.net/MOVaccine to confirm eligibility under the state’s guidelines and sign up. Once a vaccine is available, Mercy will reach out with a scheduling link. This may take several weeks.
Wright County
Health Department
As of Tuesday, Jan. 26, Wright County residents who are aged 65 and older can pre-register with the Wright County Health Department (WCHD) as those who are part of Phase 1B-Tier 2 for the COVID-19 vaccine. This also includes adults with cancer, COPD, chronic kidney disease and those with a weakened immune system. To register, call Hartville at 417-741-7791 or Mountain Grove at 417-926-0009.
This past week, the WCHD said they are preparing for the arrival of a limited supply of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
The first group to receive the vaccine is those associated in the Phase 1A group. This includes hospitals, long-term care facilities and residents, as well as Department of Mental Health (DMH)-operated facilities. Others in this group are those providing in-home care, EMTs, pharmacy workers, school nurses and dentists.
As for Phase 1B-Tier 1, this includes administrators at places like funeral homes and first responders. Then comes Phase 1B-Tier 2 citizens.
A complete list of eligible in
-dividuals in all the phases and tiers can be found at https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/.
Texas County
Memorial Hospital
Meanwhile, Texas County Memorial Hospital (TCMH) is now an approved COVID-19 vaccination site and is collecting names of area resents interested in receiving the vaccine. Those interested can fill out a form located at https://bit.ly/3sOx8O0.
In a news release, the TCMH noted that plans are currently underway to coordinate a vaccination clinic at the Texas County Fairgrounds next month for those eligible to receive it at that time. More information regarding the date and time will be forthcoming.
