Plans for Vicksburg COVID-19 vaccination site on hold

Plans to expand vaccination sites into Vicksburg and Warren County have been put on hold at least until additional vaccines arrive in the state in mid-February.

Late Wednesday afternoon, the Mississippi State Department of Health announced that all available COVID-19 vaccines had been spoken for and no new appointments would be accepted until additional vaccine was available.

Shortly before the MDHS announcement, Warren County Emergency Management Director John Elfer said he hoped to have a drive-thru site open at Pemberton Mall in Vicksburg as early as next week.

Thursday, Elfer said those plans have changed due to the lack of vaccine.

“Late yesterday afternoon we learned that the Department of Health has significantly altered its distribution plan due to the surge in appointments. As a result all vaccines are currently allocated,” Elfer said. “Our goal in having a site established by next week has obviously been impacted. We’re still in the planning phase, and we plan to establish a vaccination site here in Warren County. But health officials don’t expect to receive large amounts of vaccine until mid-February. We don’t know when those vaccines will be made available to us. We will keep everyone updated. In the meantime we encourage everyone to follow all the protective guidelines.”

In a tweet Thursday morning, MSDH said that while new, first inoculations could not be scheduled until additional doses of vaccine arrive in the state, appointments are being made for residents needing the required second dose.

We are pleased that recent efforts have resulted in 52,000 residents with vaccination appointments through the next two weeks. This accounts for all available vaccine until new supplies arrive in February. No new appointments accepted now, but second doses may still be scheduled. pic.twitter.com/NycNUwTydI

— MS Dept of Health (@msdh) January 14, 2021

Gov. Tate Reeves reiterated that those needing second doses will be able to get them.

“If you’ve gotten your first dose, or have an appointment for it, you’ll get your second dose,” Reeve wrote in a tweet. “We have plenty of appointments and the ability to logistically handle everyone. Just need more first doses.”

David Day contributed to this report.