Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday announced that the 1-C priority group can now receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Arkansas.
The group includes essential workers in several categories including energy, finance, food service, IT and communication, legal, media, public health/human services, public safety, shelter and housing, and transportation and logistics, along with and those with pre-existing conditions aged 16-64, and people living in congregate settings.
Hutchinson said that demand for the vaccine has slowed a bit recently, which is one factor that led to the decision. He also cited President Biden’s recent announcement that he’d like to see all Americans who’d like a vaccine to be eligible for one by May 1 as another factor in the decision.
The governor urged patience for those seeking a vaccination however, and reiterated that supply is still limited.
“Just because we have opened it up to 1-C doesn’t mean that you are going to be able to get an appointment this week or even next week,” he said. “There is almost 1 million people in this category, and we still have not fully completed 1-B in some areas of the state.”
Hutchinson said demand for the vaccine, particularly in rural communities in Arkansas, has remained lower that some other parts of the state.
“It is important to open it up to 1-C on the demand side,” he said. “There is a lower acceptance rate for the vaccine in the rural areas of our state that we have to overcome.
“We have to increase that. At the same time, we are increasing the opportunity for those all across the state to have access to the vaccine as well,” he said.
Information on places to schedule a vaccine in NWA is below. You can also call 1-800-985-6030 for assistance in finding a vaccine appointment.
Case update
Hutchinson announced that COVID-19 cases in Arkansas increased by 396 on Tuesday.
The state also announced 12 new deaths as a result of the virus, bringing the toll in the state to 5,481 since the pandemic began.
Hospitalizations were up by 7, bringing the total number of Arkansans hospitalized in the state to 257. There are 58 patients on ventilators, no change from yesterday.
There are currently 2,875 cases of COVID-19 considered active in the state, which includes those that have tested positive by both PCR and antigen testing methods.
The state reported 2,614 new PCR tests on Monday, along with 1,616 new antigen tests.
The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 327,456 since the pandemic began.
The top counties for new cases on Monday were Pulaski (54), Benton (49), Washington (35), Faulkner (22), and Baxter (15).
Vaccine update
The state announced it has vaccinated 12,425 Arkansans since last count yesterday, bringing the total number of doses given by the state to 781,348. In addition, a federal program to vaccinate at retail pharmacies resulted in an additional 2,472 people vaccinated in the state, bringing the total number of Arkansans vaccinated as part of their efforts to 82,532.
The state is now vaccinating individuals in the 1-A through 1-C priority groups on the state. The groups eligible to receive vaccines includes individuals over 65 years of age, workers in food manufacturing, and workers in education including higher ed, K-12, and daycare, essential workers in food and agriculture, grocery stores, meal delivery, postal service, public transit, government workers, houses of worship, along with those with developmental disabilities. As mentioned above, the 1-C group added today includes essential workers in several categories including energy, finance, food service, IT and communication, legal, media, public health/human services, public safety, shelter and housing, and transportation and logistis, along with and those with pre-existing conditions aged 16-64, and people living in congregate settings.
Local pharmacies, including Collier Drug, Medical Arts Pharmacy, and Heartland Pharmacy in Fayetteville are working to vaccinate those groups now, as are several Walmart and Sam’s Club locations around the state.
Vaccination clinics are also taking place around the region, including at Washington Regional, Northwest Health, and Mercy in Springdale.
Here are links/info for the waiting lists for pharmacies in Washington County for the 1-A, 1-B, and 1-C eligible groups.
» Collier Drug Stores – Visit this website
» Medical Arts Pharmacy – Visit this website
» Community Pharmacy – Visit this website
» Heartland Pharmacy – Visit this website
» Walmart – Visit this website
» Sam’s Club – Visit this website Pharmacy
A list of other pharmacies around the state vaccinating right now is available here.
