By Matt Pike
St. Joseph Post
The St. Joseph Health Department is urging more people to get the free COVID vaccine, especially with the vaccination rate in Buchanan County stagnating.
The Health Department’s Stephanie Melita says in Buchanan County 24-point-2 percent people have initiated vaccination while 21-point-8 percent are fully vaccinated, among the lowest in the state.
Malita reminds people that the vaccine is free to get, and as more doses are released, there are even more places you can get it other than the health department.
"Your health care provider, if you have a regular health care provider, if they don't have it they'll know where you can get it," Malita explains. "Pharmacies, many, many pharmacies in our community carry the vaccine."
Malita adds that if you search online for pharmacies providing the COVID vaccine, you can find which provides the vaccine and what vaccine they are providing.
Melita says the clinic also has doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
"The health department has vaccine, we carry the Pfizer and we're here typically eight to eleven and one to four, Monday through Friday, you can check in here and get the vaccine," Melita tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.
The health department clinic is closed today until 1 pm and again tomorrow from 11pm through the rest of the day. Clinic hours well return to normal on Friday.