CLEVELAND, Miss.— The Bolivar County drive-through COVID-19 vaccination site has tripled the number of life-saving vaccines available to local residents each week thanks to support from the Bolivar Medical Center Foundation (BMCF).
Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 23, will be the first day that the drive-through vaccination site increases the number of weekly vaccines available from 300 to 1,000, significantly expanding access to the vaccine for community members.
Located in the parking lot of Delta State’s Horace McCool Stadium, Bolivar County’s vaccine site has been operational since Feb. 23 and is made possible through a partnership with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), the Bolivar County Board of Supervisors, the Bolivar County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), the City of Cleveland, Delta State and, most recently, the Bolivar Medical Center Foundation.
Bolivar County COVID-19 vaccination site director and EMA director Michael Lamb stated, “We are very excited to welcome the BMC Foundation as a partner and supporter of our drive-through vaccination site at Delta State University. With their added support, we are able to increase the amounts of dosages so that more of our citizens can get vaccinated.”
Due to the increase in dosages available, appointments for tomorrow, March 23, are currently available. There is no charge for the COVID-19 vaccine, and insurance is not needed — nor is insurance information collected. Residents are able to stay in their vehicles the entire time, and the process is very quick and easy.
BMCF President Mark Hargett said, “The Bolivar Medical Center Foundation is proud to be a partner in getting residents throughout Bolivar County vaccinated. It is our hope that through this partnership that we will be able to help our county get back to normal soon.
“The Bolivar Medical Center Foundation was formed by Bolivar County in the year 2000 to help improve the quality of health care provided to the citizens of Bolivar County. And, this is exactly the type of partnership that we hope will do that for our citizens.”
Delta State University President William N. LaForge said the university is looking forward to expanding capacity with the increase in vaccine supply, thanks to the support of and partnership with the BMCF.
“We’re very pleased to welcome the Bolivar Medical Center Foundation aboard as a major partner and financial supporter, along with our other state and local partners who helped to make the Bolivar County vaccination site possible,” said LaForge.
“Each vaccine administered is a ‘shot’ of hope, and we will now be able to provide hope to 1,000 residents each week thanks to the generosity of the Bolivar Medical Center Foundation.”
Also, beginning March 23, residents will have the option to make their “first dose” appointment via a local and convenient telephone hotline. This telephone option will be very helpful for residents who are unable to make their appointment via the state’s online appointment system. Residents can call the appointment hotline at (662) 846-4378, and a local representative will assist them with making a “first dose” appointment. The hotline will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and can be used for “first dose” appointments at the Bolivar County site only. Appointments at other sites must be made through the MSDH.
The Bolivar County Council on Aging, Inc. is also providing transportation for those who have limited or no means of transportation. Citizens may contact the Bolivar County Council on Aging Dispatcher Daryeal Lewis or Mobility Manager Doris Green at (662) 846-6161 to schedule transportation to the vaccination site. Proof of appointment must be presented at the time of pickup.
The Bolivar County drive-through COVID-19 vaccination site will remain open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays until further notice. All appointments for vaccination at the Bolivar County site will be based on the eligibility guidelines established by the MSDH. Appointments cannot be made with city, county or university officials.
To make an appointment online with the MSDH, visit covidvaccine.umc.edu.
For appointments or assistance with other sites, or questions or concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine, please call the MSDH hotline at 877-978-6453.
For more vaccine information from MSDH, visit www.msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite.
