Elderly Tallahatchians and other Mississippians age 75 and older can now receive a COVID-19 vaccination by appointment.
The Mississippi State Department of Health on Wednesday announced that access to the vaccine is expected to be made available to the 65 years and older population in the state starting in about two weeks.
Since the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines first arrived in the state two-and-a-half weeks ago, they have been administered only to health care personnel and residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living complexes.
State health officials are in Phase 1a of a tiered, five-phase distribution plan that makes vaccine available to qualifying groups by priority.
Beginning the week of Jan. 11, in addition to persons age 75 years and older, first responders such as fire and law enforcement personnel, K-12 teachers and staff, college/university teachers and staff, child care workers, correctional officers and congregate setting workers will be offered the vaccine.
In the planned third phase in early February, the vaccine will be offered to food and agriculture workers; U.S. Postal Service employees; and manufacturing, grocery store and public transit workers.
Later in February, persons age 16-64 with high-risk medical conditions will have access to the vaccine.
In March, persons age 16 years and older in congregate settings and correctional facilities, as well as other essential workers as defined by Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency guidelines, may be inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine.
State health officials have warned that the precise timing of the distribution phases will depend on the number of vaccine doses received from drug manufacturers.
The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are administered in two doses, with the second to be given 28 and 21 days, respectively, after the first.
MSDH stresses that the COVID-19 vaccines are not interchangeable. Because the second dose in the two-dose series must be the same manufacturer/type of vaccine as the first, it is recommended to schedule the second dose at the same facility you receive your first dose.
The free vaccine is currently being administered by MSDH at 18 vaccination drive-thru sites across the state, including area health department offices.
A full list of locations and schedules is available on the health department’s website at https://www.msdh.ms.gov. Click on the “Vaccinations” tab at left.
Those now eligible for the vaccine may make an appointment online at https://msdh.ms.gov/c19appointment. Anyone without online access may call the health department's COVID-19 Hotline at 877-978-6453. The hotline is open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said Wednesday that 9,500 doses of COVID vaccine will soon be sent to private clinics and community health centers. Those doses first will be given to employees of those facilities, but he said future shipments will be offered to other people over 75 years old.
A list of clinics that have partnered with MSDH to administer the COVID vaccine will be posted on the department’s website, Dobbs added.
