State officials encouraged by vaccine rollout

Missouri’s health director says he’s encouraged by the state’s vaccine rollout so far.

Dr. Randall Williams said Thursday the state’s pharmacies and local clinics had seen an increased ability to vaccine more patients.

“All of [the pharmacies and clinics], in addition to the state allocation [and] the federal allocation, you could easily see vaccinating 1.2 million people here in April,” said Williams.

Gov. Mike Parson said Thursday that vaccine supply could outweigh demand by the end of this month.

“You’re either going to be looking for people to vaccinate, or you’re going to be putting them at the local levels where you don’t see these mass vaccine clinics,” said Parson. “You’re going to be able to the doctor, the pharmacy or the health care clinic and get a shot.”

More than 26 percent of the state’s population has received at least one shot.