KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Members of the Missouri National Guard are in Kansas City, Missouri for the next three days assisting with targeted mass vaccine clinics.
Gov. Mike Parson selected areas in Kansas City and St. Louis to host the events, which are meant to get vaccines in vulnerable communities where people might not have access to healthcare.
Thursday's clinic was held at the Morning Star Family Life Center. It's the first of three clinics, which will vaccinate 500 people.
Kansas City, Missouri resident James Mccoy said the location of the event will be beneficial to those nearby.
"This is great, it's right where it needs to be," Mccoy said.
Mccoy is one of 150 people who received the vaccine Thursday.
Pastor John Miles said he appreciates the governor's efforts to make the vaccine accessible to vulnerable populations where transportation may be limited.
"Many people in our community cannot get to far off sites or cannot get to the hospital," Mccoy said.
Along with Missouri National Guard members, who administer the vaccines, the church is also partnering with local non-profit Local Investment Commission (LINC).
Community Director Janet Miles-Bartee said all spots are full for the next three days, but the partners involved will continue working to get the vaccine into under-served areas.
"We are hoping to continue our partnership not only with the national guard but the local hospitals so we will be reaching out, we want to continue the partnership right here in the heart of the city," Miles-Bartee said.
For people like Mccoy, receiving his vaccine is one small step toward normalcy.
"Everybody should get the shot, everybody, so we can have our lives back and move around again, it's freedom," Mccoy said.
