Approximately 47 percent of the population of Pettis County have started the COVID-19 vaccination process.

According to the state’s website, 19,890 Pettis County residents have started the vaccination process, and 17,785 have received at least two doses, which is approximately 42 percent of the population.

However, during the Pettis County COVID-19 Task Force meeting on Monday, February 14, Pettis County Health Center officials said Pettis County is falling behind the state’s rates of 62.9 percent having started vaccination and 55.7 percent having received at least two doses.

The state is reporting 73.9 percent of the population over 18 years old have started and 65.8 percent have received at least two doses. For Pettis County, 58.5 percent (18,668) of the population 18+ have started vaccination and 52.6 percent (16,764) have received at least two doses.

According to the DHSS website, 16.1 percent (1,219) of 5- to 17- year-olds have started vaccination and 13.5 percent (1,020) have received two doses.

For the 65+ age group, 79.8 percent (5,779) have started vaccination and 72.6 percent (5,259) have received at least two doses. Only 165 Pettis County residents received a vaccine last week. The updated vaccination page is <https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/data/public-health/vaccine-county.php>.

Vaccine is available for everyone 5 years of age and older. Booster doses can be given five months after the last dose for Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two months after the J & J vaccine. They are available for those 12 years and older through the Pettis County Health Center, Katy Trail Community Health and Bothwell Regional Health Center. All vaccines are free. The Pettis County Health Center provides vaccine for homebound individuals. You need to call (660) 827-1130 to make arrangements.

The Pettis County Health Center has regular walk-in clinics from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays; 8:30 a.m. to noon on Thursdays; and from noon to 3 p.m. on Fridays.