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Coping with COVID: Missouri to receive around 339,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses by end of 2020

Over the next few weeks, the state is anticipated to receive enough doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to cover the first shots for Missouri healthcare providers and long-term care residents. The first shipments will arrive mid-December from Pfizer and more from Moderna.

By the end of this year, Missouri will have enough doses of a COVID vaccine to give the initial shot to most of the state’s roughly 350,000 long-term care facility residents and staff and healthcare providers, state health department director Randall Williams said on Friday.

In a call with reporters, Williams said he anticipates mass vaccinations, such as drive-through clinics or events in gymnasiums, will occur starting in May, with “anybody in Missouri who wants a vaccine” able to receive one by July or August.

Ending December, at least 339,775 doses will be delivered to Missouri, Williams said. The state expects to receive the first shipments over the next three weeks, with the initial shipment of 51,000 doses from Pfizer expected by Dec. 12 or 15.

About 224,675 doses will come from Pfizer, while about 151,000 will come from Moderna, said Lisa Cox, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Senior Services.

The doses being sent in December will be the initial dose needed of two. The remaining second dose will be sent by the federal government closer to the date it needs to be administered — either three weeks for Pfizer or four for Moderna’s, Williams said.

Williams will be visiting the White House Tuesday to meet with President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and General Gustave Perna, the chief operating officer for Operation Warp Speed, the federal government’s initiative to produce and distribute 300 million doses of a vaccine by January.

Healthcare workers within the first phase of the state’s vaccination plan includes not just doctors or nurses, but housekeeping staff and clergy that go into hospitals as well, Williams said. If an initial shipment is not enough to cover all staff, hospitals will be tasked with determining who is prioritized to get it first.

Williams said he has not yet heard of hospitals who will mandate their employees receive a COVID vaccine.