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State Pharmacy Program in Mo. to speed up vaccine deliveries

Pharmacies across Missouri will soon be receiving prioritized shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine through the new State Pharmacy Program. Missouri Gov. Parson announced that starting next week, 15 percent of the state's weekly vaccine allotment will be allocated to the program.

During a Thursday briefing at the State Capitol, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced that pharmacies across Missouri will begin receiving prioritized shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine through a new State Pharmacy Program. 

“With vaccine supply continuing to increase and more Missourians becoming eligible, we will now begin shipping vaccines to pharmacies in all regions and communities throughout the state,” Parson said. “Local pharmacies are a trusted health care resource for many Missourians, so distributing vaccines to as many pharmacies as we can will help expand accessibility by providing a vast network of capable providers in every community.”

Starting next week, 15 percent of Missouri’s weekly vaccine allotment from the federal government will be allocated to the state’s pharmacy program. 

The state has identified 161 pharmacies in 84 counties based on ability, location, and population. These pharmacies have the ability to administer 200 initial doses of COVID-19 vaccines per week and will consistently receive this number of doses in addition to booster doses for the next three to four weeks.

Allocations for each of Missouri’s vaccine delivery channels will be adjusted to accommodate pharmacies. Delivery channels and corresponding allocations through the week of March 22 are:

  • High Throughput Health Centers: 35 percent
  • Mass Vaccination Events: 15 percent 
  • Local Public Health Agencies: 15 percent
  • Federally Qualified Health Centers: 15 percent 
  • Other Community/Enrolled Providers: 5 percent 
  • Pharmacies: 15 percent 

Starting the week of March 29, the state will shift vaccine allocations to reflect unvaccinated eligible populations in each of Missouri’s nine regions. Current delivery channels will be modified to incorporate those changes.