The Mississippi Department of Health, Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital and the City of Winona have collaborated to bring the vaccine to Montgomery County by hosting a drive-through site at the Montgomery County Coliseum.
The group had its first vaccination day on Tuesday, May 11, vaccinating 145 patients from Montgomery, Carroll and the surrounding counties. Another 57 patients received their first dose of the vaccine on Tuesday, May 18.
Their next available first dose vaccination dates will be May 25 and June 1. The second dosages will be given on June 8, June 15, June 22 and June 29.
According to volunteer chairman Angelyn McCaulla, vaccine administration has gone exceedingly well. Tuesday was the second scheduled drive-thru vaccine administration held at the Montgomery County Coliseum, and once again volunteers delivered in providing vaccines to the community in an efficient and organized manner.
“Thirty-eight people had appointments on Tuesday, but we had quite a few walk-ins,” McCaulla said. “In all, we gave 57 vaccines.”
McCaulla was complimentary of her fellow volunteers for another successful day vaccinated people in the community.
“I’m so proud of everyone,” she said. “And thank you to BBJ’s for providing food for the volunteers.”
McCaulla praised the work Laura Tucker of Winona. Tucker is the director of nursing for the Mississippi Department of Health and has provided invaluable assistance in successfully orchestrating Winona’s drive-thru site.
“Laura was our number one go-to person,” McCaulla said. “She was the one who helped us with all the details. She was such a tremendous help. If it hadn’t been for her, I don’t know what we would have done.”
McCaulla said Specialist Banks of the Mississippi National Guard was another great resource for volunteers.
“Specialist Banks showed us all of the details about putting information into the computer,” McCaulla said. “She was so wonderful, I told her commanding officers she needed a promotion.”
McCaulla said another drive-thru vaccination day will be held Tuesday, May 25 beginning at 9 a.m. Those wanted to get the vaccine can make an appointment on the Mississippi Department of Health’s website or just show up at the coliseum during a drive-thru event.
“We are not turning anyone away,” McCaulla said. “We want everyone who wants the vaccine to get it.”
If anyone has questions or needs assistance, they can call 662-283-1232. Those needing transportation to the coliseum may call 662-283-2009.
After over a year of high COVID-19 case numbers and subsequent deaths, Montgomery County had its first week of no new cases reported in the county. Carroll County reported one death, however, it has not reported any new cases for the past two weeks.
From the beginning of March until now, Montgomery County numbers have been slowly coming down, with the highest number of cases reported on March 6 with nine reported cases and one death.
Since May 1, Carroll has reported only one new case. Since March, Carroll’s highest numbers were on March 6 with 11 cases reported. During the week of April 3 as well as the last two weeks, Carroll reported no new cases of the virus.
By the last report on May 14, 35 percent of Montgomery County’s population has received at least one dose of the vaccination, and 30 percent of the county’s population is fully vaccinated.
Twenty-seven percent of Carroll County’s population has received one dose of the vaccination and 22 percent of the county’s population is fully vaccinated.
Although case numbers are declining, state and local health officials urge residents to get the COVID vaccine to help prevent serious bouts and possible death from the virus.
Dr. Keith Rushing, a physician with Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital, urges citizens of Carroll and Montgomery counties to get the vaccine, especially with local vaccination sites available.
Rushing explained that while there is the potential to become infected with the COVID-19 virus after vaccinated, Rushing said those cases have proven to be less severe and they are less likely to spread the virus to others. The vaccine will prevent those infected from succumbing to the illness.
“Statistically, the vaccines are all very effective,” Rushing said. “You may still potentially get the virus, however, you won’t be as likely to die from the virus.”
