KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Johnson County will move into Phase 2 of its COVID-19 vaccine distribution process beginning next week, according to county's health department.
Phase 2 will be rolled out in different tiers, similar to what Missouri is doing.
However, as Kansas and Johnson County health officials continue to vaccinate people as part of Phase 1 of the distribution plan, the director of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, Dr. Sanmi Areola, said it could be a while before Phase 2 inoculations are complete.
Areola estimated there are 150,000 people in the county who qualify to be vaccinated in Phase 2, including 95,000 residents 65 years old or older.
"This is a very very large group," Areola said. "It's very important for us to understand that it will take a while for us to get through this."
People who qualify to be vaccinated in Tier 1 of Phase 2 include all unvaccinated people from Phase 1; people age 65 and over; and people in K-12 schools, including teachers, drivers and custodians. Tier 1 also will include emergency services workers, like police officers and fire fighters.
Tier 2 of Phase 2 will include people from previous phases; workers in transportation and logistics, which includes warehouses and large-scale manufacturing plants; and bus and transportation workers. This includes ride-share service, bus and taxi drivers.
Johnson County also will prioritize people in high congregate living settings in tier 2.
Tier 3 of Phase 2 includes water and waste workers, postal workers as well as Department of Motor Vehicle employees along with workers from retail, warehouses and sales outlets.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly posted a list of groupings for the phased vaccination plan on her website.
Johnson County will offer vaccinations for people in Phase 2 at the department from Tuesday to Friday. Residents should fill out a vaccine interest form, which does not create an appointment nor does it reserve a vaccine but should provide further instructions.
The county also will partner with health systems in the area.
