KMBC 9 is learning more about why the second mass vaccination event at Arrowhead Stadium was canceled. The Jackson County Health Department says there were a number of factors at play, but the main issue was the pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.Next Thursday and Friday, the Truman Sports Complex was supposed to be packed with thousands of vehicles.”I think initially the state of Missouri had set a goal to double the size of the event,” said Ray Dlugolecki, Jackson County’s assistant health director.On Wednesday, the state announced the second mass vaccination event at Arrowhead was canceled. The Department of Public Safety cited logistic and scheduling issues.”But I think that temporary pause of the J&J vaccine was probably one of the biggest factors,” Dlugolecki said.He said that organizers considered using other vaccines.”I don’t believe that Arrowhead was actually available to hold the subsequent follow-up doses that would be necessary with both Pfizer and Moderna,” he said.Dlugolecki said he is hopeful that Arrowhead hasn’t seen its last mass vaccination event. “We know that these mass vaccination sites still have a place in vaccine administration given the fact that we only have about 35% of the population in Jackson County that has received a first dose,” he said. Dlugolecki also noted that shifting the focus to smaller clinics may be more effective as demand at larger sites decreases. “Ultimately, over the last couple of weeks we’ve seen a definitive slowdown in the number of people who are attending these types of sites,” he said. “I think what we’re trying to focus on, what we need to focus on beyond these mass vaccination sites, is access. It’s bringing the vaccine to people where there are absolutely no potential barriers to them receiving the vaccine.”Right now, there are no solid plans for when another mass vaccination event could come back to Arrowhead. There are several large ongoing vaccination clinics throughout Jackson County. For times and locations, click here.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
KMBC 9 is learning more about why the second mass vaccination event at Arrowhead Stadium was canceled.
The Jackson County Health Department says there were a number of factors at play, but the main issue was the pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Next Thursday and Friday, the Truman Sports Complex was supposed to be packed with thousands of vehicles.
“I think initially the state of Missouri had set a goal to double the size of the event,” said Ray Dlugolecki, Jackson County’s assistant health director.
On Wednesday, the state announced the second mass vaccination event at Arrowhead was canceled.
The Department of Public Safety cited logistic and scheduling issues.
“But I think that temporary pause of the J&J vaccine was probably one of the biggest factors,” Dlugolecki said.
He said that organizers considered using other vaccines.
“I don’t believe that Arrowhead was actually available to hold the subsequent follow-up doses that would be necessary with both Pfizer and Moderna,” he said.
Dlugolecki said he is hopeful that Arrowhead hasn’t seen its last mass vaccination event.
“We know that these mass vaccination sites still have a place in vaccine administration given the fact that we only have about 35% of the population in Jackson County that has received a first dose,” he said.
Dlugolecki also noted that shifting the focus to smaller clinics may be more effective as demand at larger sites decreases.
“Ultimately, over the last couple of weeks we’ve seen a definitive slowdown in the number of people who are attending these types of sites,” he said. “I think what we’re trying to focus on, what we need to focus on beyond these mass vaccination sites, is access. It’s bringing the vaccine to people where there are absolutely no potential barriers to them receiving the vaccine.”
Right now, there are no solid plans for when another mass vaccination event could come back to Arrowhead. There are several large ongoing vaccination clinics throughout Jackson County. For times and locations, click here.
