Last week marked biggest week yet for COVID-19 vaccinations in Stone County
Branson West resident Bill Vaughn receives the first of two doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
March 11, 2021
Kadee Brosseau DeCourley
About 1,500 people received the COVID-19 vaccine throughout Stone County last week. Clinics on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were held in Reeds Spring, where the Moderna vaccine was administered. During the clinic on Thursday in Crane, about 350 people received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
“We are just really trying to get everybody in that needs it, [people who are] 65 and over and the high-risk individuals,” Pam Burnett, Stone County Health Department Administrator, said.
Burnett said, currently, only people who meet those criteria can get the vaccine. However, Missouri will enter the next tier of the vaccination process next week, allowing essential workers to be eligible for the shot. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the county will receive as many doses as public health leaders would like immediately.
“We only have what is given to us. We order, but we can only do what they give us. So, even though the state opens that up on March 15, doesn’t mean that we’ll have [the vaccines],” Burnett said.
Branson West resident Bill Vaughn received his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Thursday.
“I’ve had two friends go to the hospital. One died from COVID,” Bill Vaughn said. “I want to get vaccinated, so I don’t get COVID. I don’t want it.”
He said getting the vaccine will give him peace-of-mind and allow him to get back to what he considers a more normal life.
“Everywhere I go, I wear a mask. I wash my hands. I stay six feet apart from people,” Vaughn said. “It’s a different life.”
Others who received the vaccine said they’ll soon feel comfortable traveling.
“We have one child who lives up in Minnesota with her family, and we haven’t seen them since Christmas of a year ago in 2019. We want to get to travel again and get to go up there and see them,” Jack Watchorn said.
Jack and his wife Sheryl also attended the clinic in Crane. They said the volunteers and staff were efficient and accommodating.
“We like to keep up to date on all our vaccinations, whether it’s measles or shingles or anything or the flu. We get our flu vaccines every year. So, this is another one. It wasn’t even a question for us,” Sheryl Watchorn said.
While Burnett said getting people vaccinated is a step toward normalcy, it’s unclear how long the vaccine will be effective. She said it’s currently unknown whether or not people who receive the shot now will have to receive it again a year from now.
“It’s a new vaccine. It’s a new disease. It’s frustrating not to know these answers, but with science, you just have to go along and see what happens. So, we just don’t know,” Burnett said.
The same is true for the latest version of the COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson and Johnson. Burnett doesn’t know when that shot will be available in Stone County but said it only requires one dose.
“I am looking forward to the Johnson and Johnson. I feel like it’s going to be another good option to give out,” Burnett said.
Meanwhile, Burnett said people who want to get the vaccine should sign up on multiple lists with multiple organizations.
“Tri-Lakes Community Healthcare in Kimberling City, they get doses on a weekly basis. So, I know that they have openings. They can call and get in there. Then, also, continue to check with Cox and Mercy to get in for appointments with them,” Burnett said.
Burnett continues to thank volunteers for their help, local churches for the use of their spaces, and the community’s support in the fight against the virus.
“The more people we can get vaccinated, the less chance that COVID comes into our community or those new variants even have a chance to get spread,” Burnett said.
Kadee Brosseau DeCourley
About 1,500 people received the COVID-19 vaccine throughout Stone County last week. Clinics on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were held in Reeds Spring, where the Moderna vaccine was administered. During the clinic on Thursday in Crane, about 350 people received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
“We are just really trying to get everybody in that needs it, [people who are] 65 and over and the high-risk individuals,” Pam Burnett, Stone County Health Department Administrator, said.
Burnett said, currently, only people who meet those criteria can get the vaccine. However, Missouri will enter the next tier of the vaccination process next week, allowing essential workers to be eligible for the shot. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the county will receive as many doses as public health leaders would like immediately.
“We only have what is given to us. We order, but we can only do what they give us. So, even though the state opens that up on March 15, doesn’t mean that we’ll have [the vaccines],” Burnett said.
Branson West resident Bill Vaughn received his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Thursday.
“I’ve had two friends go to the hospital. One died from COVID,” Bill Vaughn said. “I want to get vaccinated, so I don’t get COVID. I don’t want it.”
He said getting the vaccine will give him peace-of-mind and allow him to get back to what he considers a more normal life.
“Everywhere I go, I wear a mask. I wash my hands. I stay six feet apart from people,” Vaughn said. “It’s a different life.”
Others who received the vaccine said they’ll soon feel comfortable traveling.
“We have one child who lives up in Minnesota with her family, and we haven’t seen them since Christmas of a year ago in 2019. We want to get to travel again and get to go up there and see them,” Jack Watchorn said.
Jack and his wife Sheryl also attended the clinic in Crane. They said the volunteers and staff were efficient and accommodating.
“We like to keep up to date on all our vaccinations, whether it’s measles or shingles or anything or the flu. We get our flu vaccines every year. So, this is another one. It wasn’t even a question for us,” Sheryl Watchorn said.
While Burnett said getting people vaccinated is a step toward normalcy, it’s unclear how long the vaccine will be effective. She said it’s currently unknown whether or not people who receive the shot now will have to receive it again a year from now.
“It’s a new vaccine. It’s a new disease. It’s frustrating not to know these answers, but with science, you just have to go along and see what happens. So, we just don’t know,” Burnett said.
The same is true for the latest version of the COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson and Johnson. Burnett doesn’t know when that shot will be available in Stone County but said it only requires one dose.
“I am looking forward to the Johnson and Johnson. I feel like it’s going to be another good option to give out,” Burnett said.
Meanwhile, Burnett said people who want to get the vaccine should sign up on multiple lists with multiple organizations.
“Tri-Lakes Community Healthcare in Kimberling City, they get doses on a weekly basis. So, I know that they have openings. They can call and get in there. Then, also, continue to check with Cox and Mercy to get in for appointments with them,” Burnett said.
Burnett continues to thank volunteers for their help, local churches for the use of their spaces, and the community’s support in the fight against the virus.
“The more people we can get vaccinated, the less chance that COVID comes into our community or those new variants even have a chance to get spread,” Burnett said.