More Missourians will soon be eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. –  Governor Mike Parson announces that around 2-million more Missourians will soon be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.

Gov. Parson made the announcement during today’s briefing at the State Capitol. Missouri will activate Phase 2 of the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan on Monday, March 29 and Phase 3 on Friday, April 9, 2021.

“With the progress we are currently seeing and vaccine supply expected to increase significantly in the coming weeks, we are well ahead of schedule with our vaccine plan,” Governor Parson said. “Supply projections are subject to change, but it is critical that we start preparing for this potential influx and ensure there is a consistent number of people who are eligible and interested in receiving a vaccine.”

The federal government expects significantly increasing COVID-19 vaccine allotments to Missouri by the first week of April.

The state says the timeline will help more residents get the vaccine without delays.

In Phase 2, the Governor’s Office says about 880,000 more Missourians will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The state says those residents are essential to economic recovery. They include those in construction, critical manufacturing, higher education, and remaining food and agriculture sectors. This also includes homeless and disproportionately affected populations with an emphasis on racial and ethnic minorities, among others.

All Missouri adults can get the vaccine under Phase 3. That includes an estimated 1.1 million Missourians who were not eligible under and other tier or phase. Read more about each phase at MOStopsCOVID.com/priority.

With all phases of Missouri’s Vaccination Plan activated, approximately 4.5 million Missourians will be eligible.

To date, one in four Missourians have initiated vaccination. About 50 percent of Missouri’s 65 and older population have initiated vaccination. Residents in currently activated phases will still be able to get the vaccine as Missouri moves forward.

“Missouri’s position is continuously improving on the COVID-19 front,” Governor Parson said. “With over 1.2 million Missourians having initiated vaccination, large increases in vaccine supply, and the activation of Phases 2 and 3, we are confident that we are winning the battle against COVID-19.”