TEXARKANA, Ark. -Miller County Office of Emergency Management is working with area pharmacies on coordination of Phase 1-A criteria as limited shipments of the vaccine have arrived for front line medical and first responders.
The Arkansas Department of Health has yet to provide a completed state vaccination plan, said Joe Bennett, Miller County director of Emergency Management.
"Under limited guidance from the Arkansas Department of Health, Miller County is doing our best and currently working with area community-based pharmacies on coordination of Phase 1-A criteria as very limited shipments of the vaccine have arrived for our front line medical and first responders personnel," Bennett said.
No vaccines have arrived for the phase 1-B group, he said, but citizens can contact local participating pharmacies to sign up or contact the Miller County Health Unit.
There are three facilities in Miller County registered to receive these supplies:
Albertsons at 3710 N. State Line Ave.
College Hill Drug at 100 East St.
Walmart at 133 Arkansas Blvd.
This information is subject to change and these providers may have their own process for vaccination, Bennett said.
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, there will not be enough vaccine initially for all adults who want to receive it. Supply will increase moving forward and additional vaccines may also be authorized.
Health care workers, residents and staff of long-term care facilities and EMS, police and firefighters who serve as first responders are the first 1-A group to be vaccinated, following recommendations from Centers for Disease Control's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
Phase 1-B of vaccination is scheduled to begin on Monday with two groups: Arkansans who are 70 or older and those who work in education, including K-12, higher education and child care.
If you are a long-term care resident or staff member, you will likely receive the vaccine through a clinic at the facility. If you work in a hospital, you will likely receive the vaccine through a clinic at your worksite. Others who are in 1-A can receive the vaccine through a community-based pharmacy.
Arkansans who are 70 and older can also make an appointment at a community pharmacy beginning on Monday. Vaccine clinics and events may also be available in your area through hospitals and health care providers.
For those who work in education, the district, facility or college/university should determine how many doses are needed, and then reach out to an ADH Local Health Unit or a community pharmacy to schedule a vaccination clinic.
Both the Moderna and the Pfizer vaccines require two doses administered three or four weeks apart, depending on which vaccine is used.
COVID-19 vaccines for children and adolescents will be developed later.
People who have already been infected with COVID-19 may still benefit from getting a vaccine. It is not yet known how long natural immunity to COVID-19 lasts. It's also not yet known how long the immunity provided by the vaccine will last.
(More information regarding vaccinations in Arkansas can be found online at: healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/covid-19-vaccination-plan.)
- Miller County Office of Emergency Management