Joplin Health Department encourages public to use state's COVID-19 vaccine navigator

(From the Joplin Health Department)

Starting Friday, April 9, all Missourian adults become eligible for the coronavirus vaccination. As more people seek vaccine opportunities in our area, Joplin Health Department officials encourage citizens seeking a vaccine appointment to utilize the COVID-19 Vaccine Navigator option that the State of Missouri developed.

Individuals can go to covidvaccine.mo.gov/navigator/ or they can call the Southwest Missouri Regional COVID-19 Call Center at 417-874-1211 to register for a vaccination.

“This tool will be helpful to the public,” said Ryan Talken, Health Director. “Navigator provides the opportunity for a regional call center to assist people seeking vaccine. Those contacting the call center will have information about upcoming regional vaccine clinics open to them at the time they call. The center’s staff can assist callers locate a clinic that may offer vaccinations on the date they desire.”

The regional call center is hosted by the Springfield Greene County Health Department.

The City Health Department is now utilizing Missouri’s Vaccine Navigator for appointment registration for the clinics they offer. Individuals can call the Regional COVID-19 Call Center at 417-874-1211, as listed above, or they can go to https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/navigator/.

The Area Agency on Aging is also providing assistance for citizens needing help with registration, including individuals who are homebound and cannot travel to a site to receive it. For those who may need a ride to their appointment, AAA staff can provide information about area resources for that service too. AAA staff can be reached at 417-781-7562 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 4 p.m.

“We truly appreciate the assistance that Area Agency on Aging is providing,” said Talken. “Throughout this pandemic, our support agencies and businesses have pulled together to help our citizens through the different phases we’ve gone through this past year. We know there are many others offering their help and we want to thank them.”

Another source for assistance with registration is available by calling the Joplin Health Department at 417-623-6122. For more information about COVID-19, visit covidvaccine.mo.gov or joplinmo.org/coronavirus.