State opens vaccination program to more Arkansans

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Monday that the remaining categories in Phase 1-B and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and Garland County is “really ready for it,” the local health officer says.

“It’s kind of interesting that announcement came” on Monday, because one of the main areas of discussion at that morning’s meeting of the Hot Springs/Garland County COVID-19 Task Force was “they’ve got more vaccine than people to give them to,” County Health Officer Dr. Gene Shelby said.

Shelby said the local vaccination program has gotten to the point where vaccination clinics are calling people on their waiting lists and most have already gotten vaccinated elsewhere.

“We were really happy, and I think we’re really ready for it,” he said. “We have vaccine in the county that’s ready to be administered, so that’s really great news, I think.”

“Thanks to doctors, nurses, and pharmacies around the state, our vaccination program is running strong,” Hutchinson said Monday. “We are seeing an encouraging drop in the number of new cases, active cases, and hospitalizations. Secretary of Health Dr. Jose Romero and I agree that we can now allow everyone who falls in the 1-B category who wants a vaccine to have one. This will hasten the day when we contain COVID-19 in Arkansas.”

According to a news release from the governor’s office, the expansion will allow shots for essential government workers, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, employees of the Arkansas Department of Correction, employees of grocery store and meal delivery services, houses of worship, manufacturing, postal/pack

age delivery services and public transportation.

People 65 years old and older, educators and some segments of the food and agriculture industry already are eligible.

Additionally, a toll-free number for vaccination information, 800-985-6030, began daily operation Monday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., the release said.

Call representatives will schedule appointments for Department of Health vaccine clinics and will provide information about pharmacies and providers in the caller’s area that offer vaccinations.

A list of clinics is available here: www. healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/adh-covid-19-vaccine-clinics.