Above is the order of phases in which Missouri will be administering the covid-19 vaccine. Grocery industry workers will fall under the food and agriculture workers category which is classified under Essential Workers within Phase 1B.
As of today, January 14th, more than 190,400 vaccines have been administered to frontline health care workers and nursing home residents and staff according to Phase 1A of Missouri's Vaccination Plan. There are over 450,000 Missourians included in Phase 1A, which will take several weeks to complete. State and local governments and health care partners are administering vaccines to those recipients as efficiently as possible. Currently, 285 facilities across the state are approved to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to Phase 1A eligible recipients within their facility. More than 700 additional facilities are expected to be approved within the coming days and weeks. Vaccinators have been approved in all geographic regions of Missouri, and more will continue to be brought onboard to ensure vaccines are distributed equitably and efficiently.
Today, Governor Mike Parson announced the activation of Phase 1B - Tier 1 of Missouri’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. The activation of Phase 1B - Tier 1 reflects the guidance the state has received from federal partners as well as information gathered from stakeholders across the state. Phase 1B - Tier 1 is activated today, and Phase 1B - Tier 2 will be activated on Monday, January 18. Tier 1 of Phase 1B focuses on protecting those who keep Missourians safe, including law enforcement, fire service, and public health professionals, among others. Tier 2 of Phase 1B focuses on protecting those who are at increased risk for severe illness, including individuals aged 65 and older and any adult with cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, or intellectual and/or developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome, heart conditions, a weakened immune system due to organ transplant, severe obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. More information on Phase 1B - Tier - 3 will be available in the next couple weeks. You can see Governor Parson's full press release here.
The Missouri Grocers Association has been in constant contact with the Governor's team regarding the rollout of the vaccine. We will continue to keep our members updated as more information becomes available.
