Nearly three-tenths of Pettis County residents have been administered at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Pettis County Health Center.

Minutes from the Pettis County COVID-19 Task Force meeting on Monday, May 24, say Pettis County has now vaccinated approximately 29.3 percent of the population with at least one dose. According to the state’s website, 12,386 Pettis County residents have received one dose and 10,945 have completed the two-dose series- which is approximately 25.9 percent of the population fully vaccinated.

Health officials say Pettis County is falling behind the state rate of 41 percent with at least one dose and 33.9 percent fully vaccinated. The state is reporting 51.4 percent of the population over 18 has had at least one dose of vaccine and 43.2 percent is fully vaccinated.

For Pettis County 38.8 percent of the population 18+ has had at least one dose and 34.3 percent is fully vaccinated.

Vaccine remains the primary way to stop the virus from spreading along with masking, distancing and staying home if you are ill.

The FDA has approved the Pfizer vaccine for everyone 12 years of age and older.

The Pettis County Health Center will have regular walk in clinics from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays First doses are available, as well as second doses for those unable to make their second-dose appointment.

If you would like to register, you can call (660) 827-1130, but appointments are not required.

Walk-in vaccination opportunities are available throughout Pettis County.

If you know of someone needing transportation to reach a place to get a vaccination, OATS is providing transportation to vaccine clinics free of charge. To schedule transportation, call (800) 276-6287.

For more information on vaccine in Missouri go to the website www.MOStopsCOVID.com.