Update on COVID-19 vaccine from the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment

The goal for Johnson County Department of Health and Environment is to provide multiple options throughout the community for our residents to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This is the first week that community providers will be assisting us. All health systems have expressed an interest partnering with us and will be receiving vaccine supply in the coming weeks. Important note: Vaccine availability is limited. However, the county received 6,825 doses earlier last week and was fortunate to receive an additional 4,000 doses later in the week which were distributed to the health care system partners named below in this week’s plan.

The following is an update of the vaccination plans for the week of Feb. 1:

• JCDHE is vaccinating first responders (fire, police and Sheriff’s Office), health care workers who are due for their second dose and a portion of those 80 and older who have already taken the interest survey.
• For the 65+ population, to start with, JCDHE has provided vaccine to KU-Med, Olathe Health or AdventHealth health care systems. These health systems will book appointments based upon vaccine availability, but do not call for an appointment. You will be contacted by them.
• Children’s Mercy is vaccinating K-12 public school special education staff and Kansas School for the Deaf staff. Eligible staff should receive information from their school or district administration.

Those 80 and older who have successfully completed the county’s interest form and have not been vaccinated will receive a follow-up email or phone call from the county on how to book an appointment. We are regularly monitoring our data to ensure that everyone who takes this survey is being contacted when they are eligible for an appointment.

Leadership from the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment will be taking questions from the public during a Facebook Live townhall meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. today at facebook.com/jocogov.

People can submit their questions in the Comments frame during the event and they will be forwarded to the moderator. It is anticipated that given the volume of questions in the past, there will not be enough time to answer all the questions verbally, but they will be answered in the comments section as time allows.

Get more information about the vaccinations in Johnson County at jocogov.org/covid-19-vaccine.