Everyone 16 and older can get vaccinated starting Monday

Kansas and Wyandotte County are opening up COVID-19 vaccinations to everyone over age 16 on Monday, March 29.

As the state moves into Phase 5 of the vaccination plan, everyone eligible in the former phases also will still be able to get vaccinated on Monday, March 29.

The Unified Government Health Department announced on Friday, following the governor’s announcement, that its three vaccination clinics will be open to walk-in vaccinations from all adults in Wyandotte County from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday of next week. Residents also can make appointments for vaccinations.

Gov. Laura Kelly announced Friday that the state will move into the final Phase 5 on Monday, March 29. All adult residents of the state will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

“With the anticipated increase in supply from the federal government, we must get every dose of vaccine into arms quickly,” Gov. Kelly said. “I strongly encourage every Kansan to get the COVID-19 vaccine so we can get back to school, back to work, and back to normal.”

Kansas will be the eighth state to make the vaccine available to all adults, according to the governor.

Thirty-five percent of the adult population in Kansas had received at least one dose of the vaccine as of March 26, according to the governor.

Vaccine supply in recent weeks has increased, and demand is no longer outstripping supply, according to the governor.

Opening the vaccinations to all adults will make sure no vaccine goes to waste, according to the governor’s office.

Juliann Van Liew, director of the UG Health Department, said they are developing a new way for people in Wyandotte County to set up appointments online or by phone. They will have more information on this scheduling tool next week, she stated.

“We believe it is important to offer both appointments and walk-in vaccinations, so our community members have multiple options for getting vaccinated,” Van Liew said. “We aim to make the COVID-19 vaccine more accessible to our community by providing these options, as well as assistance with things such as transportation to and from our sites and mobile vaccines for people who are homebound.”

Wyandotte County residents can choose any of three Health Department vaccination centers for appointment or walk-in vaccinations. These sites are open from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for vaccinations. The west location is at the former Best Buy store, 10500 Parallel Parkway; the central location is at the former Kmart store, 7836 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas; and the east location is at the Kansas National Guard Armory, 100 S> 20th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

According to the Health Department, walk-in patients are welcome at any of the sites, but walk-ins will not be accepted after 2:30 p.m.

Any Wyandotte County resident who wants a vaccination, whether by appointment or walk-in, must bring something that shows they live in Wyandotte County, such as a piece of mail addressed to them or a driver’s license.

Those who are 16 or 17 can get a vaccination, but they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and the parent or guardian must bring proof of guardianship, such as a birth certificate, legal court records, insurance card with names list or similar documents. Parents or guardians must bring a photo ID such as a driver’s license, passport or similar document. Minors must be able to verify their age identification with an ID, birth certificate, insurance card, passport or similar document.

The UG also offers assistance for people who need transportation to and from a vaccination site, or for those who are homebound and want a free COVID-19 vaccination. Residents can visit WycoVaccines.org and click on the yellow and black button that says, “Do you need a ride to get to a COVID-19 vaccine?” and fill out the request form. Residents with no internet connection may call 3-1-1 to make their transportation or homebound vaccination request.

Once patients have completed the form, they will be contacted by a community health worker, who will help schedule their vaccination and transportation as needed, or their at-home vaccination if needed. Patients receive a reminder the day before their scheduled appointment. Additional volunteers and community health workers will be at vaccination sites on the day of their vaccination, to ensure those who need return transportation home receive it.

When it’s time for you to get your COVID-19 vaccine, the Health Department recommends keeping these tips in mind:
• Please eat something (even a snack) before getting your vaccination.
• Be prepared to wait in the recovery area for 15 to 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).

The Health Department is seeking volunteers to help with COVID-19 vaccine efforts. Volunteers are needed in both clinical and non-clinical roles. Those interested in joining the volunteer team are invited to fill out a volunteer application at ughealth.info/volunteer.

For vaccine information: Go to WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1 (913-573-5311).
For other COVID-19 updates: Go to wycokck.org/COVID-19.

Vaccine numbers in Wyandotte County

The UG Health Department has vaccinated almost 30,000 people who have received at least one dose, according to Van Liew, who gave a vaccine update at the 5 p.m. March 25 UG Commission meeting.

Wyandotte County residents who have received at least one dose from any vaccine site including pharmacies total 24,505, according to the Health Department’s website. The difference between the numbers is that the Health Department was vaccinating people who work in Wyandotte County, but not live here, in the earlier phases. Now they have changed to vaccinating just people who live here, according to Van Liew. They may decide to change it again later in the process, she added.

About 14.5 percent of Wyandotte County residents now have been vaccinated with one dose, and 7.9 percent of Wyandotte County residents have received two doses of the vaccine. Wyandotte County is third from the last in the state in the percentage of residents who have been vaccinated, she said.

“Our numbers are not where we want them to be,” Van Liew said during the 5 p.m. March 25 meeting. The county now is receiving about 6,000 doses of vaccine a week, and it has had a little trouble reaching the people they need to reach, she said.

The number of those 65 and older who have been vaccinated has risen in the past few weeks, she said. However, only about 50 percent of those who are 65 and older in Wyandotte County have received their first dose, she said. They are doing everything they can to reach out to this group, she added.

Health Department charts showed that Asian and Black rates are lagging, but the differences are not as steep as they thought they would be. Ethnic disparities are shown in the number of Hispanic residents vaccinated in Wyandotte County, which is significantly lower than non-Hispanics, she said.

She anticipated the vaccination effort could be a pretty long effort, perhaps six to 12 months.

Van Liew said they are trying to reach the people who live in Zip Codes that are higher risk areas.

Mayor David Alvey said during the 5 p.m. meeting March 25 that those vaccination sites that set up early but didn’t get enough vaccine early seemed to be at a disadvantage. The public heard that not enough vaccine was available in the early days, and they went to other places to be vaccinated.

Van Liew said the Health Department is stepping up its outreach to the community, knocking on doors, and going to places to get the word out. They are actively letting people know they can sign up for an appointment. There doesn’t seem to be as much hunger for the vaccine here, though, she said.

There are still 100,000 adults to be vaccinated in Wyandotte County, so there’s a lot of work ahead of them, she said.

“We do anticipate a big surge when we get to Phase 5,” Van Liew said at the March 25 meeting. “We are in support of a move to Phase 5.”

Vaccinations and herd immunity were discussed during the University of Kansas Health System’s news conference on Friday morning.

According to the doctors, 50 percent vaccination is not enough to stop wearing masks. Society will need to get to at least 65 to 70 percent on vaccinations before that is possible, according to the doctors. People should continue wearing masks and distancing until then, the doctors said. It’s too early to stop wearing masks now, they said.

COVID-19 case numbers reported

The University of Kansas Health System reported 13 active COVID-19 patients on Friday morning, a decrease of one from Thursday, according to Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control. Of the 13 patients, four were in the intensive care unit, an increase of one from Thursday. Three patients were on a ventilator, an increase of one since Thursday. There were another 17 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized but are out of the acute infection phase, a decrease of one since Thursday. There is a total 30 patients, a decrease of two from Thursday.

Wyandotte County reported an increase of 21 COVID-19 cases on Friday, March 26, since Thursday, for a cumulative 18,019 cases. There was a cumulative total of 285 deaths reported, no change since Thursday.

The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 163,648 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Friday. The daily average of new hospitalizations was 73. The number of cumulative deaths was 2,324.

The state of Kansas reported 301,433 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Friday, March 26, an increase of 406 cases since Wednesday. There were a total cumulative 4,891 deaths reported, an increase of 10 deaths.

The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Friday night reported 30,155,046 cases in the United States, with 548,067 total deaths reported nationwide.

Vaccinations available Monday

On Monday, Wyandotte County will start Phase 5 in the state’s vaccination plan, that allows everyone 16 and older to get a vaccination. Residents may walk in to the three vaccination centers or may make an appointment. See above for details, or visit WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1.

The vaccination sites are open from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the former Kmart store at 7836 State Ave., the former Best Buy store at 10500 Parallel Parkway and the Kansas National Guard Armory at 100 S. 20th (near 18th and Ridge).

Those who walk in to get vaccines should bring an ID and something showing their Wyandotte County address, such as mail. For more information about vaccines at the UG Health Department, visit https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-vaccines-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/.

There are also pharmacies giving COVID-19 vaccinations in Wyandotte County by appointment, when available. These include Price Chopper and Hen House pharmacy at 76th and State Avenue, and 81st and State Avenue (see https://www.ballsfoodspharmacy.com/), and Medicine Shoppe pharmacy at 65th and Parallel by appointment when available (see https://www.facebook.com/The-Medicine-Shoppe-Kansas-City-281548241870522). CVS pharmacy also has announced that it will offer COVID-19 vaccines at one of its stores in Kansas City, Kansas. Registration is at CVS.com.

COVID-19 tests scheduled

COVID-19 testing is available at 8 a.m. Saturday, by appointment, at Lowe’s, 6920 State Ave. This test is through WellHealth and is listed on the Go Get Tested site at www.gogettested.com/Kansas. The WellHealth tests need appointments., which can be made at the website.

Unified Government Health Department COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites are scheduled to be open on Monday, March 29. For more information, visit https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19. To see if there is any change to the schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.

The Health Department is offering saliva COVID-19 tests to the public. Tests from the Health Department are free for those who live or work in Wyandotte County.

The tests are open to asymptomatic people as well as those who have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. Check with the UG Health Department’s Facebook page to see if there have been any changes in the schedule. Bring something that shows that you live or work in Wyandotte County, such as a utility bill.

The Health Department’s general contact page is at https://www.wycokck.org/Health/Contact.aspx. Their Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.

Testing sites are at https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19.

Saliva testing is now offered at the UG Health Department. For more information, visit https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/02042021-ugphd-saliva-testing-available.pdf.

To see the UG Health Department vaccine report, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxMQIYF4fAQ.

To see the KU doctors’ news conference, visit https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/1914735708702340.

The University of Kansas Health System COVID-19 update page is at https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/265130208445513.

A weekly vaccine report for the state of Kansas is at
https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/DocumentCenter/View/123/Vaccine-Historical-Document-22521?bidId=.

The UG COVID-19 webpage is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information.

The KDHE’s COVID-19 webpage is at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/.

The KC Region COVID-19 Hub dashboard is at https://marc2.org/covidhub/.

The Wyandotte County page on the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 website is at https://bao.arcgis.com/covid-19/jhu/county/20209.html.

The Johns Hopkins Data in Motion, a presentation on critical COVID-19 data in the past 24 hours, is at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/covid-19-daily-video.