Platte County residents on the hunt for the COVID-19 vaccine may soon have a new opportunity to be vaccinated with the launch of a mass vaccination site next week in Riverside, planned by the Platte County Health Department.
The health department was notified last week it would receive more than 1,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine from the state. These vaccines, in addition to allocations from the Missouri Department of Health and St. Luke’s Northland Hospital bring the totals to 1,700 shots available over the next two weeks.
Northpoint Development recently stepped up to the plate as well, offering support to the health department along with use of one of its 120,000 square foot warehouse facilities in the Horizons Industrial Park in Riverside.
Local governments have also joined the effort, including the City of Riverside.
Last week, the City of Parkville also took matters into its own hands to help distribute vaccines to its residents
Alderman Brian Whitley spoke on the city initiative at the Tuesday, Feb. 16 meeting of the board of aldermen. Cities cannot directly contract with manufacturers, he said, but the city can work with the Platte County Health Department to get doses into the community as they become available.
“Renting a warehouse or any sort of facility costs a substantial amount of money – the Platte County Health Department doesn’t have the funds for that,” Whitley said.
The board approved a resolution supporting the health department’s efforts to set up a mass vaccination clinic and provide staffing and support.
Along with assistance from the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, the site is scheduled to run from Tuesday, March 2 through Thursday, March 4 for its first.
Appointments will be made this week for Platte County residents 80 years of age and older on the waiting list. The county is currently vaccinating those in Tier 1B, with priority given to those more than 70 years of age.
For more information on the vaccine, the upcoming clinic or other opportunities, visit the website at plattecountyhealthdept.com.