Mississippi is the second state to expand coronavirus vaccine eligibility to all residents age 16 and older. Dr. Jennifer Bryan Chairs the Board of the Mississippi State Medical Association. She says she would like to see more doses go towards private clinics and hospitals so residents can get the shot from a trusted, local provider. Dr. Bryan says "Long term I anticipate we'll see that switch more and more, as vaccines become privatized and all of that. But right now for the foreseeable time period anyways, I hope that the drive-thru sites will go on and then as the demand diminishes, and we're able to pick up the capacity through the private sector, we'll see that transition."
Previous changes to vaccine eligibility created a surge in demand for appointments. Dr. Bernard Deasis is Chief Medical Officer at Family Health Center in Laurel. He says his clinic already has a waiting list for the vaccine. "If you open up the flood gates, are we going to be able to supply them enough vaccine,” asks Dr. Deasis. “Right now, at least in my experience in our center, we are getting limited amounts of vaccine. That's going to be the hold up for that."
Vaccination clinics are also being created and expanded at some of the state's colleges and universities. Sid Salter with Mississippi State University says this could allow more students and faculty to return to classrooms. He says "This will be, in my estimation, a real game-changer, not just for Mississippi State, but for higher education in Mississippi and across the country."
Between 60,000 and 70,000 vaccines are administered in Mississippi each week. A map with all of Mississippi's vaccine providers can be found on the Department of Health's website.
