By: Heidi Kirk
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) — University of Arkansas officials urge the campus community to remember that it will likely take several weeks to vaccinate individuals that are eligible and wish to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
While University of Arkansas employees fall into the Phase 1-B category, there are currently not enough doses available to vaccinate all that want to receive it.
As of Jan. 18, employees can seek to be vaccinated at any pharmacy or provider that is participating. In an effort to protect the campus community, the university will host several vaccine clinics on campus throughout the semester.
Following the guidance of the Arkansas Department of Health, the university is working to provide vaccination opportunities for older community members first and foremost. The initial vaccination clinic will provide access to appointment scheduling in different phases, starting with those more than 70 years of age.
“We ask that all eligible employees remain patient as it’s not possible to vaccinate everyone who is eligible at once with a limited supply of vaccines,” said Charles Robinson, provost and vice chancellor for academic and student affairs. “But additional vaccines are being delivered to the state and distributed to providers on a regular basis. The supply will increase. We’re already planning additional vaccine clinics and we’ll announce those plans as soon as they are finalized.”
INITIAL MASS VACCINATION CLINIC ON CAMPUS – JAN. 23
The U of A has made arrangements with a local pharmacy to conduct the initial mass vaccination clinic on campus with nursing students from the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing administering the vaccines.
Vaccines will only be administered to eligible employees with an appointment and the appropriate identification (listed below).
When: Saturday, Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Enter Gate 14, at the northeast corner of the stadium near the Wild Band of Razorbacks fountain, a few minutes before your scheduled appointment.
Appointment Required: The university is reaching out directly to eligible employees in a prioritized manner based on the individual’s age. The names and contact information for those eligible and seeking vaccine will be relayed to Collier Drug Stores to schedule appointments. At a later date, vaccine appointments will be available for all eligible employees.
What to Bring: To receive the vaccine from eligible providers including mass vaccination clinics, you must bring the following:
- University photo identification
- Insurance card
- Driver’s license or other form of photo identification
- The individualized letter from the university recently emailed to employees
The ADH provides a map of pharmacies that are providing vaccinations across the state of Arkansas.