Boone County leaders talk vaccine distribution

Planning is underway to deliver the first round of coronavirus vaccines in Boone County.

Health director Stephanie Browning says her department met with distribution partners on Monday. She told the Columbia City Council on Monday night the state is working with pharmacies to get the shots to long-term care facilities.

“I would imagine the hospitals…they’ll vaccinate their own people as vaccine becomes available. And our role will probably be to pick up where there’s gaps.”

Browning says she’s still worried about a surge in coronavirus cases after the holiday weekend. Boone County reported more hospitalizations in November than in the previous three months combined.

“It’s always hard to pinpoint the exact moment somebody got infected. But it’s where people are gathering. And it’s in homes. It’s in workplaces if they’re not maintaining their distance wearing their masks. It’s widespread.”

Browning recently extended the Columbia/Boone County health order until Dec. 22.