KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City region has received more than 15,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson.
Parson announced on Monday that in the previous week 15,600 doses were given in the metro, in addition to what local health care systems have received and administered.
Truman Medical Centers, Liberty Hospital and North Kansas City Hospital were among nine hospitals and health care systems in the Kansas City area that the state selected to receive doses.
Kansas City’s “targeted vaccination teams” also have been activated. The teams, which include National Guard members, are working with local clergy members to coordinate vaccinations for up to 500 Missourians, per team, per week. There are four teams statewide.
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"Our targeted vaccination teams are working tirelessly to support critical populations, and high throughput metro hospitals are receiving shipments of Missouri's allotted vaccine doses that reflect the large regional populations they serve.”
Parson announced the targeted vaccination sites last month during a press briefing on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the same briefing, Parson also informed Missourians that the National Guard was being activated to help with vaccine distribution.
Eighteen mass vaccination clinics also have been held throughout the state. The first was in Poplar Bluff in January.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, as of Feb. 8, shows Missouri as the third-lowest ranking state for vaccine administration with 7.8% of the population having received one dose, and 1.8% having received both COVID-19 vaccine doses.
