Staff photo

Around 200 healthcare workers received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic held Wednesday at Fellowship Fayetteville, officials told us today.

The clinic, organized by Collier Drug, Medical Arts Pharmacy, and Community Pharmacy, took place form 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

Turnout was a bit lighter than expected, officials said.

“It was a little bit slower than we thought it would be,” said Julie Stewart, pharmacist at Medical Arts Pharmacy and one of the organizers of the clinic. “That may mean we are getting close to ready to move on to the next phase here in Northwest Arkansas.”

Today’s clinic was designated for only healthcare workers in the Phase 1-A priority group outlined by the state of Arkansas. Governor Asa Hutchinson this week announced that the state will begin opening up vaccines for workers in childcare, K-12, and higher education next week, along with individuals aged 70 and older.

Those vaccinations will be organized by school districts in many cases and through employers, the governor said, though community pharmacies will continue to vaccinate individuals in that group as well.

The governor yesterday estimated that around 132,000 Arkansans work in education-related fields that would qualify to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning next week. He said around 311,000 Arkansans would qualify in the 70 and older group.

The state today announced it has vaccinated 13,208 individuals since yesterday, bringing the total amount of doses given in the state to 102,657.

Stewart said local pharmacies have already begin taking reservations to vaccinate the newly-qualified 1-B group members next week.