Since late December, when COVID-19 vaccine first was released for distribution, the St. Charles County Department of Public Health (DPH) has worked diligently to vaccinate St. Charles County residents and those who work in our county. By mid-April, DPH had vaccinated more than 50,000 at both walk-in and drive-through events at the Family Arena and Public Health Department, both in St. Charles.
“This was an eye-opening milestone for us,” says Demetrius Cianci-Chapman, Director of the St. Charles County Department of Public Health. “The number of people we have been able to vaccinate is remarkable. We can now vaccinate in two clinics the same number of people we vaccinated against other diseases in all of 2019.
“Fighting this virus has truly been a community effort,” Cianci-Chapman adds. “Public Health staff, staff throughout County government, Public Health community partners, and hundreds of volunteers have worked tremendously hard in assisting to vaccinate our residents. We all appreciate the patience of those receiving vaccinations as we have maneuvered through this unprecedented time.”
All Missouri residents age 16 and older now are eligible to receive the vaccine after the opening of Phase 3 of the State’s vaccination distribution plan on April 9. Vaccinations through St. Charles County Public Health are by appointment only. Those wanting to receive a vaccine can register through the Missouri Vaccine Navigator.
The following organizations and groups have assisted the Public Health staff in their efforts to vaccinate the community and fight COVID-19:
- American Red Cross
- Americorps
- Brown School at Washington University
- Goldfarb School of Nursing
- Medical Reserve Corps
- Missouri National Guard
- Numerous Individual Community Volunteers
- O’Fallon Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- O’Fallon Fire Protection District
- St. Charles CERT
- St. Charles County Ambulance District
- St. Charles Community College
- St. Charles County Public and Private School Nurses
- Volunteers in Medicine
For additional information on COVID-19 and vaccinations, visit Public Health’s website.
Learn more on SCCMO-TV about COVID-19 vaccination efforts in St. Charles County.