CITY OF JEFFERSON- The governor’s office provided information on Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccination plan on Thursday afternoon.
The Missouri Department of Health’s Senior Services Director, Dr. Randall Williams, also issued a state health order on Thursday with respect to vaccinating individuals in Phase 1A, Phase 1B – Level 1 and Phase 1B – Level 2.
The order defines who can be vaccinated at which stage and who administers the vaccines.
Vaccine distribution request
The office said at least 27% of Phase 1A received the first dose of the vaccine. More than 160,000 individuals received the initial dose and more than 22,000 were fully vaccinated with the two-dose series.
Phase 1B – Level 1, which includes first aid, emergency services / management and those in the public health infrastructure, was activated Thursday, January 14
Phase 1B – Layer 1
First responders include all first federal, state and / or local respondents in addition to EMS / EMTs in Phase 1A, including police, fire services, corrections and certain social service agencies.
Emergency management / services include federal, state or local government officials in emergency management and public works agencies, including city police and fire departments and county sheriff offices.
Columbia assistant fire chief Brad Fraizer said his department started receiving the vaccine last Friday. He said he is happy that the first respondents are being prioritized and that it will bring security to the community.
“We believe that having vaccinated firefighters in the communities will be a good thing,” said Fraizer. “So we’re looking forward to it. We think about the level of protection not just for firefighters, but for the citizens with whom we come in contact.”
It also includes private sector resources, such as private security organizations and private emergency medical service providers and non-profit organizations designated as voluntary partner agencies.
The public health infrastructure includes administrators and employees of federal, state or local public health agencies and other health professionals who “perform functions necessary for the operation of Missouri health infrastructure that were not included in Phase 1A.”
Phase 1B – Level 2
Phase 1B – Level 2 will be activated on January 18th. This level includes high-risk individuals and anyone over 65.
High-risk individuals include any adult with cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, heart problems, weakened immune systems, severe obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, type 2 diabetes and / or individuals with intellectual and / or developmental disabilities.
Phase 1B – Level 3
There is currently no start date for Phase 1B – Level 3 yet.
The level will include K-12 educators, childcare providers, the communications sector, the dam sector, the energy sector, the initial food / agriculture sector, government, the information technology sector, nuclear reactors / materials / waste sector , transportation sector and sewage systems / sewage sector.
The initial food and agriculture sector includes employees from certain food production and processing facilities and related operations, who “prioritize mass production of food, distribution, transportation and wholesale and retail sales, including supermarkets and convenience stores where groceries are sold “.
The office emphasized that anyone who qualifies for Phase 1A is still eligible to receive the vaccine.
Where to get the vaccine if you meet these levels
The governor’s office says that anyone in Phase 1B and Phase 1B – Level 1 must work through their employer and / or association to gain access to the vaccine.
Those in Phase 1B – Level 2 should contact their local pharmacy or healthcare provider, or visit MOStopsCOVID.com to find out when vaccines may be available and how to receive them.
A list of vaccinators and regional vaccine implementation teams will be available here on January 15th.
Employers and associations are encouraged to use the list to connect with a vaccinator or regional vaccine implementation team in their area and make a plan to vaccinate their teams.
For more information on specific sectors in Phase 1B, click here.