Pettis County has now vaccinated 18.8 percent of its population with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Minutes from the Pettis County COVID-19 Task Force on Monday, March 22, say 7,978 Pettis County residents have received one dose and 5,584 have completed the two-dose series.

The next first-dose clinic is scheduled to be held on Friday, March 26, at the MoAg theater in Sedalia for those in all tiers of Phase 1B. The new group includes teachers, childcare providers and designated essential businesses.

Pettis County Health Center officials urge residents to help friends and family who do not have access to the internet or cannot get out easily to register for the vaccine. Online registration is available through the Bothwell Regional Health Center’s website at https://www.brhc.org/.

OATS is providing transportation to vaccine clinics free of charge. To schedule transportation, call 1 (800) 276-6287.

On March 29, Phase 2 will open to include individuals who work in restaurants, construction, banks, government employees, higher education, commercial facilities, critical manufacturing, libraries, homeless individuals and others who have been disproportionately affected populations.

On April 9, the vaccine will be open to all Missouri residents. In order to identify individuals interested in the vaccine and plan for future clinics, Pettis County residents are encouraged to sign up on the hospital’s website.