In the waiting room at Central Mississippi Health Services in Jackson, Erica Washington is filling out some paperwork before her coronavirus vaccine appointment. She's one of the thousands of Mississippians who recently gained eligibility for the vaccines. Erica lives with her family in Jackson but attends college at Mississippi State University. "That means I have to stay away from home a lot longer to make sure that I'm not sick so I don't get anyone else sick because there are older people in my house. It's been difficult, but we've been making it. But now since, you know, I'm fixing to get a shot, it'll kinda make it a little easier."
"All right now, 1 2 stick," says Nurse Sharon Ivory giving Erica her vaccine.
Erica is getting the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which only takes one dose to be fully vaccinated.
"Done, finished. Let me give you your card. You have been vaccinated, Ms. Erica"
As Erica waits the required 15 minutes so she can be monitored for side effects, she says she's excited and looks forward to spending time with family again. "Oh I feel good, so that means I can get on their nerves more. Get on their nerves more often," laughs Erica.
Only one other person is in the waiting room, and Erica says she assumed more people would be there. Thousands of appointments are available across the state, and health officials are eager to get them filled. A map of vaccine providers can be found on the Department of Health's website.
