1,500 COVID vaccines available now, Kansas City hospital says. Here’s how to get one

Lisa Gutierrez
·2 min read

Truman Medical Centers/University Health officials said on Monday that they have 1,500 doses of COVID-19 vaccine available to Missouri residents — and that they will begin taking walk-ins on Tuesday.

Across Kansas City, vaccination sites are seeing a slowdown of interest in the vaccine as supply begins to exceed demand.

One example: Last week was the first time since the Jackson County Health Department began COVID-19 vaccinations that it did not have enough takers for all of its appointments.

Even though an initial rush from the public led to about a third of adults in Kansas and Missouri receiving at least their first dose, health officials continue to encourage everyone to be vaccinated. Everyone 16 and older is eligible in both states.

“This is predictable, but it is concerning,” said Dr. Marci Nielsen, chief adviser for COVID-19 coordination for the state of Kansas, said last week. “And the reason it’s concerning is of course we want to reach herd immunity and make sure we can all be safe and prevent the spread of the virus.

“But also we have the development of these variants, and the mutations that we’re seeing in the virus appear to make the virus spread much more quickly.”

With more doses than takers, some vaccination sites are retooling to make getting those shots easier, extending hours and welcoming walk-ins. On Monday, the Unified Government Public Health Department in Wyandotte County opened its clinics to all eligible Kansans, not just county residents, and began adding early morning and evening appointments.

Truman officials said they are making it easier for people to get vaccinated by adding walk-in services at University Health 2 (near the main hospital downtown), at 2211 Charlotte St., and at the hospital’s Lakewood campus in eastern Jackson County.

Walk-in hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or, you can make an appointment by calling 816-404-2273.

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