On March 16, Governor Asa Hutchinson expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to those in the state’s 1-C eligibility category.
Phase 1C includes:
- Arkansans aged 16 to 64 with health conditions that increase their risk for severe COVID-19.
- Essential workers in: Energy, finance, food service, information technology and communications, legal, media, public health/human services, public safety, shelter and housing, transportation and logistics.
- People residing in high-risk settings: Includes those who are incarcerated or detained; those living in group homes, congregate settings, or crowded housing; and student housing such as dorms and Greek housing.
Hutchinson has said a few times that the demand for the vaccine in Arkansas has seen a decrease. Local vaccine providers said they are keeping up with demand.
Medical Center of South Arkansas (MCSA)
“So far, we have completed the vaccinations of all teachers in Union County,” Alexandria Bennett, executive director of business development at MCSA, said. “After that, we quickly moved on to those that are 65 and older and we have made a significant dent on those populations as well.”
Bennett said the hospital is ready and prepared to take on the addition of the 1-C group.
“This new group includes a huge population that is specific to El Dorado, citizens that are in the manufacturing or industrial jobs here,” Bennett said. “So we are encouraging anyone to call our hotline and get on our vaccine list because we will eventually get to everyone on the list. We don’t want people to necessarily wait, we want to get them on the list, with their contact information, so when a vaccine becomes available we are ready to go.”
“Our list has been fluctuating since vaccines became available but it by no means has been an unmanageable amount,” Bennett said.
The MCSA COVID-19 vaccination hotline is: 870-863-2620.
Melvin’s Discount Pharmacy
Melvin’s will be holding a drive-through COVID vaccine clinic this Saturday at Westside Baptist Church, by appointment only, to help with their vaccination efforts.
“We have been working really hard to get a lot of people from group 1-A vaccinated, but we are now working on and accepting people that are classified as 1-B and 1-C as well,” a Melvin’s Discount Pharmacy staff member said.
To set an appointment for Saturday’s clinic or to be added to Melvin’s vaccine waiting list, call 870-863-4155.
El Dorado Walmart Pharmacy
Walmart’s pharmacy is currently accepting COVID-19 vaccination appointments through their online portal.
“Yes, we are accepting all allotted groups for the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination through our appointment portal at Walmart.com/COVID,” an El Dorado Walmart Pharmacy technician said. “However our online scheduler only does appointments a week at a time. So if you don’t see anything open a particular week, that means the week is full. We suggest people check it as early as possible because spots do fill up really fast.”