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).
The Kansas Leadership Center, after getting individual Kansans involved in efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, is currently getting the word out about vaccines.
How to convince the vaccine-hesitant to get the COVID-19 shot was one of the topics discussed on Monday at the University of Kansas Health System news conference.
Ed O’Malley, executive director of the center, and Claudia Amaro, who facilitates meetings, discussed the group’s efforts in Kansas.
Amaro said communication is important, and it is not true that Latinos do not get engaged with their communities.
Some of the vaccine hesitancy has to do with trust, and knowing the people who are presenting the information about vaccines, according to Amaro.
“We are continuing to engage with the community, especially listening,” she said.
At the beginning, some people say they don’t trust and don’t want to get the vaccine, she said. After a period of time and discussion, they understand how important it is for everyone in the community to get the vaccine, she said. But they’re not there yet because they don’t have the information, she added.
“They want leaders in the Hispanic community, out gathering, and presenting the information,” she said. They also want to see information in their own language, she added.
Amaro said there are already a lot of people out there trying to make connections, including Hispanic leaders, Spanish media reporters, hospital personnel and others in health care.
O’Malley said, as he sees it, there are three things that need to be done.
The first is listening, he said, and they have done more than 50 community listening sessions including diverse populations, just to hear thoughts, concerns and questions, he said.
Second is giving people something to be for, he said. With questions about masks, for example, they focused on what people can be for.
Third, is to give people a chance to be active. This may be a key to success in getting more people vaccinated, he said. It increases people’s commitment and can influence others, he said.
O’Malley said they have heard different vaccine-hesitant concerns during their 50 community meetings in the last eight weeks.
A lot of people just want more information, Amaro said.
“They need to listen to experts, from people they trust,” she said.
O’Malley said some people do not want others to listen and then tell them what to think, but they want to discuss their concerns.
He said in some towns in the western part of the state, people felt a sense of security because they were so isolated. “The sense of small town security has been one of the challenges,” he said.
They try to engage people, share information, let them ask questions, answer the questions, and get people they trust to help them think things through about the vaccine, he said.
In Wyandotte County, the Unified Government Health Department has its COVID-19 information in Spanish as well as English. Other resources in Spanish include some of the information on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website.
Toward the end of 2020, the Kansas Leadership Center launched a campaign, Kansas Beats the Virus, and held 851 small group meetings with nearly 7,000 participants throughout the state, where residents discussed what they could do in their communities to stop the spread of the virus.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control, said that in some countries abroad recently, they have had to go back to a lockdown because of COVID-19 variants spreading rapidly.
“It is down to individuals doing the right things,” he said. Going without masks and without distancing, as people did before the pandemic, could result in a surge of cases.
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at KU Health System, said he is a little nervous as the country heads into spring break. Having had COVID-19 does not protect against some of these variants, Dr. Stites said.
Not many young adults have been vaccinated yet, and some of them may be going to large gatherings in Florida. He added he is afraid a lot of people could get sick without the vaccine.
COVID-19 case numbers reported
The University of Kansas Health System reported 11 active COVID-19 patients on Monday morning, an increase of three from Friday. Of the 11 patients, three were in the intensive care unit, no change from Friday. One patient was on a ventilator, a decrease of one from Friday. There were another 20 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized but are out of the acute infection phase, an increase of one from Friday. There is a total 31 patients, an increase of four from Friday.
Wyandotte County reported an increase of 30 COVID-19 cases on Monday, March 15, since Friday, for a cumulative 17,900 cases. There was a cumulative total of 278 deaths reported, no change since Friday.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 162,148 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Monday. The daily average of new hospitalizations was 72. The number of cumulative deaths was 2,291.
The state of Kansas reported 298,218 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Monday, March 15, an increase of 470 cases since Friday. There were a total cumulative 4,835 deaths reported, an increase of 11 deaths.
The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Monday night reported 29,492,616 cases in the United States, with 535,596 total deaths reported nationwide.
COVID-19 tests scheduled Tuesday
Free COVID-19 tests will be available from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday, March 16, at the All Saints parish, 811 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.
COVID-19 testing will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 16, at Pierson Community Center, 1800 S. 55th, Kansas City, Kansas. Tests are through WellHealth. Appointments are required, check with the website, www.gogettested.com/Kansas, for available appointment times.
Another COVID-19 testing site will be at Lowe’s, 6920 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, at 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 16. Tests are through WellHealth. Appointments are required, check with the website, www.gogettested.com/Kansas, for available appointment times.
Unified Government Health Department COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites are scheduled to be open on Tuesday, March 16. The test site at the former Kmart building at 78th and State will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 16. Appointments are not needed for COVID-19 tests and vaccinations for those over 65 on Tuesday. Walk-in vaccinations are open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday. There is also a UG Health Department location for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at the former Best Buy store, 10500 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. A third Health Department site, for vaccinations, is at the Kansas National Guard Armory at 100 S. 20th. More information is at 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.
Walk-in vaccines available for those 65 and older
The UG Health Department is offering COVID-19 vaccines Monday through Friday for Wyandotte County residents who are 65 and older.
Those Wyandotte County residents who are 65 or older can walk in and do not need an appointment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at the vaccination sites 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.
Those who are critical workers still need appointments for vaccines.
All those 65 and older should bring an ID or other proof of age, such as a driver’s license, government ID or birth certificate, as well as something showing their Wyandotte County address, such as an ID or a piece of mail.
Those Wyandotte County residents who are younger than 65, and any Wyandotte County resident, may fill out a form expressing interest in getting a vaccine at WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1.
Kansas will move into phases 3 and 4 of the vaccine plan beginning March 22, according to an announcement from Gov. Laura Kelly today.
Gov. Kelly made the announcement at a 4 p.m. news conference at Stormont-Vail hospital in Topeka, Kansas.
Individuals from age 16 to 64 with pre-existing medical conditions and other non-health care workers in critical infrastructure will be eligible for vaccination, according to the announcement.
“Thanks to an increased supply in vaccine, Kansas will begin vaccinating individuals who qualify in either Phase 3 or Phase 4 on March 22,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “This expedited timeline will allow Kansans to get back to work, back to school, and back to a more normal way of life. I urge all Kansans to do their part by getting vaccinated when it is their turn and continuing to follow the public health guidance, so we can return back to normal.”
The governor said Kansas anticipates receiving 100,000 additional doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine later this month, and there could be smaller increases in the amount of Pfizer and Moderna vaccine it receives.
The state will enter phases 3 and 4 at the same time, according to the governor. Kansans eligible to be vaccinated in phases 3 and 4 include: Those aged 16 through 64 with conditions that increase the risk for severe illness from COVID-19, including: o Cancer; o Down Syndrome; o Certain heart conditions; o Type 1 and 2 diabetes; o Pregnancy; o Asthma; o Cystic fibrosis; o Liver disease; o Neurological conditions like dementia; o And other medical risks.
And other non-health care workers in critical infrastructure who cannot work remotely, including: o Agricultural and food workers not included in previous phases; o Workers performing in-person activities indoors; o Utility workers; o Social service and government workers not included in previous phases; o Logistics workers, such as truck transportation workers and couriers; o Water and wastewater workers; o Shelter, housing, and finance workers; o And information technology and communication workers.
Kansas continues to see significant decreases in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, Gov. Kelly said. She said she hoped it was as gratifying for everyone as for her to finally see hope on the horizon.
Wyandotte County is still giving vaccines to those who are 65 and older, in phase 2.
Gov. Kelly said that while some counties are finished with phase 2, the state knows that some counties are still giving vaccinations in phase 2. She said that is why they are giving the counties an additional week to work on the first and second phases before moving into the third and fourth phases.
The governor said anyone from phases 1 through 4 would still be eligible to get a vaccine on March 22, it doesn’t mean the counties have to stop giving vaccines to the earlier phases.
According to the governor and Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas health secretary, about 600,000 people are in phases 3 and 4 together. The state will be ready to move into the final phase, phase 5, by no later than May 1, according to officials. May 1 is the deadline that President Biden is encouraging for starting vaccinations for the general population.
Currently, Kansas will receive one large shipment from Johnson and Johnson later this month, but there is no guarantee that those large numbers will continue, according to Dr. Norman. The state currently receives 140,000 to 150,000 doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccine a week.
According to the governor, they want to be prepared, and they are planning according to the latest information from the federal government. If there are changes to those numbers, there will be changes to the amount of vaccine that is distributed, but they do not anticipate changes at this time.
Dr. Norman said there were about 1,450 vaccination sites in Kansas last week, but not all of them were operational yet, as there wasn’t enough vaccine for them yet.
Gov. Kelly said in the future, they hope to have mass vaccination sites set up, if they can get enough vaccine doses.
She said they were determined to get every Kansan vaccinated as quickly as possible, and they had prepared for it by allowing more people to be vaccinators and activating safety net clinics, hospitals, pharmacies and medical practices. The state also will join with the federal government to set up mass vaccination sites to increase the number of vaccinations possible per day.
The Wyandotte County Health Department has vaccine information online at WycoVaccines.org. Any Wyandotte County resident, may fill out a form expressing interest in getting a vaccine at WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1.
Kansans can use the “Find My Vaccine” mapping tool at KansasVaccine.Gov to locate a provider near them with vaccines available.
