Sedgwick County opened a second mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic today as more residents become eligible to receive the vaccine.
The clinic will run through Saturday at the Central Community Church at 6100 W. Maple in Wichita.
Staff from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the National Guard are assisting with the clinic.
County Manager Tom Stolz says the county health department finally reached the point where it has consistent vaccine shipments so it can offer shots at multiple locations.
“We feel like there’s room for another mega-site, and we’re going to make that happen,” Stolz said earlier this week. “We also know that there’s room for our other partners to take doses if they can manage them and put them out.”
Appointments are required and can be scheduled through the county’s website or by calling (316) 660-1029. People who are eligible for vaccinations can choose a clinic location when they register.
The county plans to relocate the clinic to the Sedgwick County Extension Office at 7001 W. 21st St. on Monday. It will operate Monday through Saturday for the next two weeks.
The county health department continues to operate its main vaccination clinic downtown at the former Wichita Central Library, and a drive-thru clinic at the Wichita Transit Operations Center. The drive-thru clinic is for health care associated workers and residents 65 and older who have mobility difficulties.
Who’s eligible for vaccinations?
Sedgwick County moved into Phase 2A of its vaccination plan on Monday, and expanded eligibility to more than 40,000 essential workers.
Phase 2A includes public safety agencies, veterinarians, employees in licensed childcare facilities, aviation manufacturing plants and supply chain, meat processing plants and public transportation.
“We feel like we have really good vaccine supply inflow coming in now," Stolz said.
The health department also is working with Textron Aviation and Spirit AeroSystems to offer vaccinations on-site, but Stolz said those workers can also receive vaccinations at either of the county's mega-sites.
He says health department staff are also reaching out to congregate settings, like homeless shelters, to give vaccinations on-site. A mobile vaccination clinic will begin traveling to communities throughout Sedgwick County next month.
The county has vaccinated more than 63,000 health care associated workers, older residents and K-12 school staff since the vaccination program began in late December.
Anyone in those groups who wants a vaccination is still eligible as the county continues to move through the priority phases.
