Those who can walk in and get a COVID-19 vaccine at a Health Department clinic now include those who are high-contact critical workers, along with those who are 65 and older.
According to an announcement Tuesday from the UG Health Department, critical workers in Phase 2 of the Kansas vaccine plan are now eligible for walk-in vaccinations, without appointments. Also eligible for walk-in vaccinations are all those listed in Phase 1.
Gov. Laura Kelly announced on Monday that the state would move into Phases 3 and 4 on Monday, March 22.
According to a UG Health Department spokesman, people who live in Wyandotte County who are eligible in Phases 1 and 2 are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated this week before Phases 3 and 4 start next week.
Those who are eligible in Phases 1 and 2 to walk into any of the Health Department’s three vaccination facilities to get a free vaccination, without an appointment, include:
• Wyandotte County residents ages 65 and older.
• High-contact critical workers who live in Wyandotte County, which includes the following industries in Phase 2 of the Kansas vaccine plan:
o Grocery store, food services and food processing workers, including meat processing and meat packing plant workers.
o Child care providers, K-12 and child care workers, including teachers, custodians, drivers and other staff, plus higher education employees and workers.
o Transportation workers.
o Those who work in retail sales outlets.
o Warehouse workers.
o Agricultural workers.
o Workers at businesses that create materials for the COVID-19 response, for example, businesses that manufacture personal protective equipment.
o U.S. Postal Service workers.
o Department of Motor Vehicles workers.
o Large-scale aviation manufacturing plants.
o Firefighters, police officers, first responders, corrections officers.
• Workers living in Wyandotte County who were eligible in Phase 1 and have not yet been vaccinated, including:
o Health care-associated workers.
o Workers critical to pandemic response continuity.
Critical workers are those necessary to maintain systems, assets and activities that are vital to the state or national security, the economy or public health as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“This is a big step forward in our COVID-19 vaccine roll out in Wyandotte County,” Juliann Van Liew, director of the Health Department, said. “We now have three vaccination facilities available to the public, and we’re pleased to be able to expand the availability of walk-in vaccinations not only to seniors 65 and over, but now to high-contact critical workers as well. Our goal is to continue to expand vaccine availability as equitably as possible throughout Wyandotte County, so that in time anyone who wants COVID-19 vaccine will be able to get it.”
People who are eligible under Phases 1 and 2 who walk in for a vaccination do not have to fill out the online vaccine interest form. Instead, they should bring these items with them:
• Seniors should bring:
o Proof of age, such as an ID or birth certificate, or similar document.
o Proof that they live in Wyandotte County, such as a piece of mail addressed to them.
• Critical workers should bring:
o Proof of eligible employment, such as a work badge, pay stub, W-2, or similar document.
o Proof that they live in Wyandotte County, such as a piece of mail addressed to them.
A spokesman stated that the Unified Government Health Department realizes that not everyone has a government-issued ID, and they are working on ways to remove this barrier in future stages of the vaccine rollout, to make vaccines more accessible.
Vaccines are now available at all three UGPHD mass vaccinations sites. Eligible Wyandotte County residents can choose the site most convenient for them:
• West location: Former Best Buy, 10500 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas 66109.
• Central location: Former Kmart, 7836 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas 66112.
• East location: The Kansas National Guard Armory, 100 S. 20th St., Kansas City, Kansas, 66102.
Walk-ins are welcome at all three sites between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Those who are not eligible to walk in, but who want to be vaccinated, may fill out the vaccine interest form online or by telephone. Visit WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1 for assistance in filling out the form.
Tips for getting the vaccine
When it’s time for you to get your COVID-19 vaccine, keep these tips in mind, according to the Health Department:
• Eat something, even a snack, before getting the vaccination.
• Be prepared to wait in the recovery area for 15-30 minutes after your vaccination.
• Wear a short-sleeved shirt so you can be vaccinated more easily (if it’s chilly out, wear a sweater or jacket over your short-sleeved shirt).