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COLUMBIA, Missouri (AP) – The Missouri health director said on Friday the state should be able to immunize all hospital workers, nursing home staff and nursing home residents against COVID- 19 by the end of the year.
Missouri expects to receive nearly 340,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine this month, which should cover everyone in the state’s priority groups, Department of Health Director Randall told reporters. Williams.
The vaccines will be available to all hospital staff, including cleaners and clergy, he said.
Once the initial groups receive their first and second doses of the vaccine, Missouri plans to open vaccinations to teachers, essential workers, and people at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.
Risk groups include people 65 years of age and older, people with diabetes or other high-risk illnesses, racial minorities, people experiencing homelessness, and people living and working in nursing homes. group. Staff at critical manufacturing sites will also be eligible.
Williams said the Department of Health and Seniors’ Services was particularly focused on encouraging vaccinations among racial minorities, who Williams said historically had concerns about vaccinations “for good reason.”
“We are very sensitive to this,” he said, “especially on the basis of what we have learned: that these communities can be more vulnerable.”
Williams said Missouri plans to start vaccinating non-essential workers in May. Anyone who wants a vaccine in the state should be able to get one by July or August, he said.
Missouri has generally followed the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in deciding who should get the vaccine first.
Hopes for the first wave of vaccinations come as new cases continue to rise in Missouri.
The health department reported 18,211 new cases last week on Friday, or about 2,600 new cases per day on average. At least 89 people died last week, according to the agency.
Next week’s case reports should show if there has been an increase after Thanksgiving family reunions, Williams said.
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