Gov. Mike Parson says "there is no division" between urban and rural vaccine dose distribution, and addresses concerns over a mass vaccination event in a rural county that had organizers offer doses to anyone.
ST. LOUIS — A mass immunization event is planned for Saturday in St. Louis as health officials in the city and elsewhere work to continue boosting COVID-19 vaccination rates.
The St. Louis event will be held at the Omega Center in the city’s Mark Twain neighborhood, city Health Director Dr. Frederick Echols said.
Echols told reporters in a Zoom call Friday that vaccinations will be offered from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the center at 3900 Goodfellow Boulevard.
Officials aim to administer 1,750 first-time doses of the Moderna vaccine to those 65 and older and to those with qualifying medical conditions. Echols said Saturday’s clinic will give doses only to eligible recipients with scheduled appointments.
“That’s the purpose of the event this week is to make sure those individuals, particularly in north (St. Louis) city, have opportunities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,†Echols said. “This is a closed event so only those individuals on our roster will be allowed inside the facility.â€
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Transportation is available to those needing help getting to the Omega Center, Echols said. He cautioned against flyers circulating in the community claiming the event is open to walk-ups, stressing that doses are available only to qualified, registered residents. By Thursday, Echols said, more than 1,600 people had signed up to receive doses.
The city thus far has provided about 10,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and about 4,000 second doses. Echols said about 50,000 people have registered with the city so far to be vaccinated. Residents may register for updates on availability at or by calling 314-657-1499.
According to state vaccination data, about 8% of the city’s population has received shots, while 12% of people in St. Louis County have gotten one.
On Friday, the Heights Community Center in Richmond Heights announced that beginning next week, its gymnasium will host a St. Louis County Health Department-run vaccination site on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until further notice.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said this week that the state is poised to offer the vaccine to 550,000 residents. He said teachers and school staff, child care providers, government employees, food workers and employees in other critical sectors of the economy will qualify for vaccines beginning March 15.
Missouri’s seven-day average case count is 493. The last time it was under 500 was July 8. For Illinois, the seven-day average is 1,824, up slightly from a week ago when it was 1,782.
Missouri reported 394 more cases and 11 deaths Friday. Illinois health officials reported 2,441 new cases and 69 additional deaths.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force on Friday said the seven-day average of hospital admissions in the region dipped by one to 45 and the moving average for hospitalizations decreased by two to 310.
Joel Currier • 314-340-8132 @joelcurrier on Twitter jcurrier@post-dispatch.com
