Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) urges all who are age 12 and older to receive a vaccine during the COVID-19 vaccination clinic hours, which includes evening and weekend availability. Walk-in hours are also available. More details on clinic hours are listed below.

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age. The FDA amended the EUA originally issued on Dec. 11, 2020, for administration in individuals 16 years of age and older. JCDHE is following vaccination recommendations from the CDC and Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

JCDHE encourages the community to review the vaccination tab on the COVID-19 dashboard that offers updated information about the vaccination progress in Johnson County.

This week, JCDHE launched a Community Vaccination Event Request form for events/worksites/organizations to request information about having vaccines given onsite.

“We want as many people as possible who want the vaccine to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Sanmi Areola, JCDHE director. “The vaccine is the quickest way to get back to normal and stay healthy.”

The following is Johnson County’s vaccination plan for the week of May 17. This is in accordance with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Vaccination Plan.

• Eligible persons (age 12 and older) – JCDHE will provide first doses for those eligible at the Lenexa vaccination site. Appointments at the Lenexa clinic will be 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday (May 18 and 19) and 3 p.m.–7 p.m., Thursday (May 20). Walk-in hours are available Tuesday and Wednesday (May 18 and 19) from 9 a.m.– 2:30 p.m., and Thursday (May 20) from 3–6:30 p.m.
  • Children age 15 and younger receiving a COVID-19 vaccination must be accompanied by an adult. A parent/guardian is preferable; however, the parent/guardian may designate a non-parent adult to be present at the time of vaccination if the parent/guardian is unavailable. A signed parental consent form is required.
• Johnson County hospital systems – AdventHealth, Menorah, Overland Park Regional, Olathe Health, KU-Med and St. Luke’s Hospital are offering vaccinations. Links to their websites are available.
• Federal Pharmacy Retail Program – vaccinefinder.org for additional information.

JCDHE is taking the following actions to ensure vaccination equity:

• Those with transportation needs: JCDHE will continue to offer transportation to a vaccine clinic for those needing it. This service can be requested by calling 913-715-2819.
• Homebound population: JCDHE’s Outreach Nurses offer this service. It can be requested by calling 913-715-2819.
• Vaccinations in homeless shelters, those staying in other shelters and other highly impacted populations: These will continue as needed and will be based on vaccine availability. JCDHE is working with community partners to offer these vaccinations.

JCDHE is automatically scheduling Pfizer second-dose appointments three weeks after the first vaccine and four weeks after the Moderna vaccine for the same day and time. More information is available on our second dose webpage.

We will keep the public updated on next week’s plans and the status of our dose allotment at jocogov.org/covid-19-vaccine. Those with questions about vaccinations can contact jcdhe@jocogov.org or by phone at 913-715-2819.