Kentucky has announced 156 new vaccination sites across the state although people in Trigg, Caldwell, and Lyon counties will still have to cross a county line to take advantage.
The new locations include two regional sites in Union and Henderson counties.
Western Kentucky now has 10 regional vaccination sites compared to 18 in eastern Kentucky despite western Kentucky counties having a higher COVID case and death total than the eastern part of the state.
15 Walmart stores across the state will also provide vaccinations by appointment. They include stores in Hopkinsville, Mayfield, Central City, and Paducah.
10 Kroger stores, including ones in Murray and Paducah, will also offer vaccinations starting next week.
While the case and death data doesn’t necessarily back it up, Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman said there is a rhyme and reason for deciding on vaccination sites.
Two weeks ago, Union and Calloway counties were two of six western Kentucky counties more than one county away from a regional site. There are now four counties fitting that criteria, with Lyon County one of those.
Governor Andy Beshear has said the state’s vaccination goal is for no one to drive more than one county over to get a coronavirus vaccine.
click to download audioIn addition, the state announced 125 federal pharmacy program sites that will begin offering the vaccine. One each is located in Christian and Calloway counties with three in Marshall County. There are no pharmacy sites in Trigg, Caldwell, Lyon, and Todd counties on the list.
Aside from doses given directly to the Pennyrile District Health Department, there are no direct locations for people in Trigg, Caldwell, and Lyon counties to receive a vaccine such as the programs associated with Kroger, Walgreens, and the newly formed Federally Qualified Health Center program.
The increase in vaccination sites comes on a day when Kentucky reported 1,880 new cases of the coronavirus and a testing positivity rate of seven-percent — the lowest since November 6. Kentucky is averaging about 500 more daily tests in February compared to January but nearly 1,200 fewer tests a day than December.
The state also announced 36 new deaths Thursday, bringing the month’s total to 466 which is a 79-percent increase over the first 11 days of January.
