Governor expands vaccine eligibility to all of Phase 1-B

State to begin offering weekly shot clinics in five public health regions

Everyone in the state’s 1-B category who qualifies for the Covid vaccination is eligible to receive the shot beginning immediately, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced this morning.

Speaking during a press conference, Hutchinson said the state’s increased vaccine supply and an apparent decrease in demand for the shots led to his decision today to make the vaccine available to everyone in Phase 1-B. Persons in Phase 1-A also remain eligible.

Phase 1-B includes people ages 65 and older, teachers and school staff, child care and higher education workers. Legislative, judicial and other government workers are now among those now eligible to receive the vaccine in 1-B.

The governor said his decision was made after vaccination clinics held over the weekend indicated doses being left over because all of the available slots for patients had not been filled. He pointed to Craighead County where this past weekend only 2,000 of the 3,000 doses that were available were administered.

The Arkansas Department of Health has also announced that this week it will begin holding Covid-19 vaccination clinics in each of the state’s five public health regions.

The first clinic in the Southeast Region, which includes St. Francis County, is scheduled for Friday, March 12, at the Marianna Civic Center, located at 593 Hwy. 243 in Marianna.

The second vaccination in the Southeast Region is scheduled for Thursday, March 18, at the Brinkley Convention Center, located at 1501 Weatherby Dr., from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

According to the ADH, at first, vaccines will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and no reservations will be accepted.

Hutchinson said residents may also call toll-free, 1-800985-6030 to schedule appointments or to receive help navigating the process to receive the vaccine. “Our call center will be able to help navigate people to the right provider for an appointment,” he said.

The governor also encourages people who have made appointments with different pharmacies and agencies to notify those groups after receiving the vaccine so their name can be removed from the lists.

“If you’ve called and put your name on two lists to get vaccinated and you receive the vaccine, call and take your name off the list,” said Hutchinson. “Otherwise, you’re causing the pharmacy to have to call multiple times to get someone scheduled.”

On Tuesday, UAMS will be at the Forrest City Civic Center with 500 doses of the vaccine to administer to those who preregistered to receive the first dose.

“If it’s your turn to get a vaccination, be patient,” said Hutchinson. “Please get your vaccine when it’s your turn. We are continuing to get supplies in and we want to get them in the arms of Arkansans because it’s what is saving lives and getting us back to normal.”

There will be no out-of-pocket expense for the vaccine, but people should bring their insurance cards to the unit. If they do not have insurance, the vaccine will be available at no charge.

The vaccines offered at these clinics will require a second dose administered several weeks later. Information will be available at each event about when to return for the second dose, according to

ADH officials.

In the press release, ADH officials said, “The three authorized Covid-19 vaccines have each undergone rigorous reviews that have proven them to be both safe and effective.”