Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City began providing COVID-19 vaccinations Tuesday for eligible patients in the general public.
Missouri officials announced last week that the state was to move into Phase 1B, Tier 2 of its vaccination eligibility schedule. The move made about 2.5 million Missourians eligible to receive the vaccine.
The latest phase includes anyone age 65 and older and any adults who have cancer, chronic kidney disease, cardiopulmonary disease, heart conditions, weakened immune systems due to organ transplants, severe obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or intellectual or developmental disabilities.
CRMC will vaccinate anyone who meets criteria established in the state's vaccination plan, but is limiting vaccinations to existing patients, said Lindsay Huhman, CRMC director of public relations and marketing.
"Patients seeking vaccinations should call their primary care provider to be added to the list of patients wanting to receive the vaccine," Huhman said. "Once on the list, the patient will be contacted; and if they meet the criteria, a vaccination time will be scheduled until supply is depleted."
When the hospital receives additional supplies, patients on the list who qualified but were unable to receive the vaccine will be contacted and informed the vaccine is available again.
The process will be ongoing, Huhman said.
Patients who do not have a primary care provider at CRMC have the option to establish care with a provider or reach out to the Cole County Health Department.
Established patients at Jefferson City Medical Group should visit JCMG's website, jcmg.org, to sign up for vaccinations through the health care provider.
Anyone who signs up for the vaccination through the website but who is not a current candidate for the vaccine will be asked to register at a later date, when they are eligible, according to information on the website. The group is currently vaccinating only established JCMG patients - those who have had a physician visit with a JCMG doctor within the past two years.
The group will host vaccinations Thursdays and Fridays at its 1241 W. Stadium Blvd. location. Registration for the vaccination is available at solvhealth.com/book-online/AGNVY0.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services offers an interactive map on its website showing vaccinators in the state.
The site lists 18 vaccinators in Cole County, including clinics, pharmacies and other health providers. However, the site warns because of limited supplies, many of these sites have not received their vaccines.
Further, the DHSS site warns that because vaccinators are listed, that does not mean providers have any vaccine on hand or the ability to order any at this time, nor that the provider has an intent to publicly distribute the vaccine.
St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City is expected to begin offering vaccinations to eligible patients Thursday, said Jessica Royston, SSM Health regional manager of marketing and communications.
The hospital, Royston said, is asking patients to contact their primary care providers to schedule a vaccination.
Military veterans should contact the Veterans Administration for further instructions, Royston said.