A nurse administers a COVID-19 vaccine to a local resident during the county's first vaccination clinic Tuesday at Northwest's Hughes Fieldhouse. A second vaccination clinic is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 4. (Photo by Brandon Bland/Northwest Missouri State University)

The Nodaway County Health Center, Mosaic Medical Center-Maryville, and Northwest Missouri State University are pleased to announce a second mass vaccination clinic on Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse on the Northwest campus.

Individuals who have already registered with the Nodaway County Health Center will be contacted by the Health Center to schedule an appointment based on the available vaccine supply. Those who receive an appointment are asked to wear a mask (face shields will not meet mask requirements) and wear clothing that allows easy access to the upper arm. There is no charge for vaccinations at this event.

The vaccination will be offered to local residents in alignment with “Phase 1B, Tier 1” and “Phase 1B, Tier 2” announced by Gov. Mike Parson and the state of Missouri. Individuals eligible to receive the vaccine now include first responders and people who are over the age of 65 or experience certain chronic conditions. Additional information about who is eligible to receive the vaccine is available at https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/priority/Phase1b/.

Based on availability, the Moderna vaccine will be administered at this clinic. Anyone with concerns about receiving the vaccine should seek advice from their doctor before registering.

Health experts maintain it is important to continue adhering to mitigation measures even after receiving the vaccine, including the wearing of face coverings, social distancing and frequent hand washing. Mitigation measures, in combination with the COVID-19 vaccination, are the best protection from getting and spreading COVID-19. Additionally, individuals who receive the vaccine are still required to follow contact tracing and quarantine guidelines. Individuals identified as close contacts of a positive case for COVID-19 should quarantine for 14 days, beginning with the most recent date of exposure.

As a reminder, two different manufacturers are providing the vaccine – Pfizer and Moderna. In the coming weeks, the vaccine will be offered in additional locations, such as pharmacies and clinics organized by local governments. To ensure an adequate supply of the vaccine, individuals should receive their second vaccine from the same group – hospital, pharmacy or organization – that administered the first dose.

For additional information about the vaccine and answers to frequently asked questions provided by Mosaic Life Care, visit https://www.mymlc.com/General/coronavirus-covid-19.