On Thursday Gov. Andy Beshear announced that more than 100 COVID-19 vaccination sites will begin operating in March. That brings the state’s total vaccination sites to more than 410.
After a week of severe winter weather that delayed vaccine shipments, Kentucky received more than 152,000 vaccines this week. Beshear announced that the state had administered 25 percent of those doses on Thursday.
The state will begin inoculating people in group 1C in March. The announcement also comes as the Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize the Johnson & Johnson one dose vaccine use in the coming days. It will be the third vaccine available in the U.S.
“Our goal especially when we hit very significant supply is to make sure it’s in your neighborhood,” Beshear said. “Now listen, especially as we move into 1C, it’s going to be tough to get an appointment because everybody wants it, and that’s a really good thing.”
On Thursday, Lieutenant Gov. Jacqueline Coleman announced that public transportation is being used to help people get vaccinated.
“Public transit agencies across the commonwealth are offering free or reduced cost transportation to and from vaccination appointments. These services are already operating in 99 counties covering 75% of counties across Kentucky,” Coleman said.
Coleman also reported that the state will receive more than 195 million dollars in federal child care aid from the 2021 CARES Act. The funds will help parents with copayments and pay for hiring requirements like background checks.
Beshear reported 1,447 new coronavirus cases and 43 additional deaths on Thursday. The state’s positivity rate is 5.6 percent.
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