Spirits were high at the COVID-19 vaccine clinic Comtrea held April 14 at its Arnold office.
About 200 people got the second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the clinic, and many of those said they were thrilled to receive it so they could finally visit family and safely take part in other activities.
Becky Carpenter, 68, of Imperial was one of those who said she was happy to get her second dose at the clinic.
“I’m tired of being away from my family,” she said.
Carpenter said she believes anyone who can should get a COVID-19 vaccine.
“I think everybody should get it because they’ve got such a chance of being able to eventually go out and to know that even if they get it (the virus), they are not going to die,” she said.
Nathanael Herbert, marketing communications manager for Comtrea, said as of Monday, the agency had administered a total of 9,252 vaccines.
According to the Department of Health and Senior Services, 24.6 percent of Jefferson County residents had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 15.3 percent had completed vaccinations, as of Monday.
Dawn Miller of De Soto, medical service manager for the Comtrea Arnold office, said it’s been “fantastic” vaccinating people.
“I love it,” she said. “I’m so ready for the new norm to come, to get rid of these masks as soon as possible and try to have somewhat of a normal life again.”
Miller, who works as a COVID-19 vaccinator two days a week, has been a nurse for more than 20 years.
She said even before the COVID-19 pandemic, giving vaccines was a normal duty for her, but giving the COVID-19 vaccine is much different.
“Everybody is just so happy and excited to get it, and they express that great appreciation,” she said.
Miller said anyone on the fence about getting a COVID-19 vaccine should.
“Get it,” she said. “It’s better safe than sorry.”
Francis Thompson, 67, of Hillsboro said she was a little scared to receive her second dose and felt a little like a guinea pig.
“I don’t know how they come up with a vaccine so fast,” she said.
But, Thompson decided to put her fears aside and get the vaccine.
“I feel like I probably should at my age,” she said.
Thompson said her family members in Florida have been telling her not to get the vaccine, but she hopes to visit them soon, and getting the vaccine was the safest way to do that.
“They don’t wear a mask or anything, but I am not going to tell them I got my second shot,” she said.
Shane Brown, 59, of Pevely said getting his second dose was a “piece of cake.”
He said he decided to get vaccinated because he believed if he were to contract COVID-19 he would die.
“I have a heart condition,” he said.
Brown also said he is happy he can “go out in the world again.”
“I am tired of sitting at home,” he said.
Brown encourages others to get the vaccine.
“Get the shot. You don’t want to end up in the hospital intubated,” he said.
Walter Steinberk, 80, and his wife Carol Steinberk, 72, both of Imperial, received their vaccination together.
“It’s to protect us from getting the virus,” she said.
Carol said she is looking forward to visiting her mom, who is 92 and lives in Massachusetts.
“Before I go out there and see her, I want to be vaccinated because I don’t want to bring anything from Missouri to Massachusetts,” she said.
Carol said she and Walter hope to travel more now that they both are vaccinated.
Comtrea leases space for vaccine clinics
Comtrea held its April 14 vaccine clinic in a space at the Arnold office that used to be a cafeteria.
However, the agency has agreed to lease a 7,000-square-foot storefront in Arnold where future vaccine clinics will be held.
Arnold city officials have granted Comtrea permission to operate a temporary immunization center at 2120 Tenbrook Road, which is in a shopping plaza off Jeffco Boulevard and used to house a fitness and martial arts center.
Herbert said the lease is for six months with the option to go month to month afterward, if needed.
Herbert said the lease will cost $5,833.33 a month. He said Comtrea has posted three new jobs for people to work at the new location, and Comtrea could hire up to 15 new people to help run the new location.
Herbert said Comtrea hopes to hold a first-dose clinic in the new space on April 27. He said all first-dose clinics from that date on will be held at the new location. He said second-dose clinics will be held at both the new location and the Arnold office.
City Council members voted unanimously April 15 to allow Comtrea to open the immunization center, and the city will allow the agency to begin using the facility before acquiring a conditional-use permit, which is unusual.
City Administrator Bryan Richison said it typically takes six to eight weeks to secure a conditional-use permit.
“We didn’t want to hold them up that long if they were ready to go,” Richison said. “This allows them to open as soon as they are ready, and we will work with them on the application to go through the full process. The goal is to get them through the process and get them a full conditional-use permit.”
The city said Comtrea has three months to complete the conditional-use permit process.
Richison said Comtrea could receive a conditional-use permit that has a time limit, or the permit could be specific to Comtrea, which would not allow another business to operate a clinic at the location without a new conditional-use permit.
“We will work that out with Comtrea,” Richison said.
How to get a vaccine
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has halted administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine until further notice, following reports about several women who developed blood clots after receiving the vaccine.
However, all Missouri adults are eligible for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and Comtrea has other vaccine clinics scheduled this month. To make an appointment, go to comtrea.org/vaccine or call 636-232-2308.
In addition, the Health Department will hold several vaccine clinics this month in the building it recently leased at 1275 N. Truman Blvd. in Festus, which previously housed a Schnucks store and before that a Shop ’n Save store.
Appointments may be made through the Missouri Vaccine Navigator system. People must register with Navigator first and then schedule an appointment. To register online, go to covidvaccine.mo.gov/navigator/. Or, call 877-435-8411.
Mercy also has created an online sign-up method to help distribute vaccines. To sign up with Mercy, go to mercy.net/MOVaccine. SSM Health has an online vaccine appointment site at ssmhealth.com/access/covid19-vaccine-scheduling.
Other hospital systems and pharmacies also are registering people for the vaccines. To find a local vaccine site, visit vaccinefinder.org.