COVID-19 vaccine

By Todd Willert, CEO

Remember the end of May this year? Everyone was feeling pretty good. Hopeful anticipation was in the air. We had made it to the end of the school year with our children learning in person, restaurants and businesses were opening fully, restrictions were lifting, some were looking to a future when we could get rid of masks, and CHCS had just successfully celebrated our COVID-ized associate recognition. And the numbers looked good!

Systemwide,...

For the past year, CHCS has worked to tackle the ever-changing challenges presented by COVID-19. Delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine has been one of those challenges.

As soon as the vaccine became available, CHCS collaborated with the public health departments from four different counties (Pottawatomie, Jackson, Marshall, and Nemaha) to ensure that our patients had equal access to the vaccine when we weren’t eligible to receive it directly. Each county handled the vaccine differently,...

UPDATE May 14, 2021: Our clinics can now vaccinate anyone age 12 and older. Please note the following.

Parental consent is required for those under age 18. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is the only type approved for ages 12-17. It requires a second dose 21 days after the first dose. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for administration with other vaccines.  Our clinics order weekly allocations of vaccine based on demand, so we can't typically...

NOTE: This article has been updated to reflect the Governor's announcement that Kansas will move to Phase 5 on Monday, March 29. Phase 5 makes all adults age 16 and up eligible to receive the vaccine. 

Community HealthCare System is now receiving its own COVID-19 vaccine allocation and will begin offering the vaccine starting late the week of March 29.

Vaccines will be administered by appointment only at CHCS clinic locations in Centralia, Frankfort,...

The early February sun shone on the first Phase 2 COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Pottawatomie County, an event that one vaccine recipient said felt “like a party.”

Vicki Flattery said everyone from the staff to those arriving for the vaccine was “excited and festive.” “It’s a great vibe,” she said.

Pottawatomie County Public Health collaborated with county healthcare leaders for months to ensure smooth delivery of vaccine. The event at...

Community HealthCare System is collaborating with public health authorities in four counties to begin Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Although plans are proceeding, vaccine supply from the state is limited. Vaccine supply will grow in the coming weeks, but patience will be required as healthcare providers and public health departments work through the planning and distribution process.

CHCS patients who are interested in receiving the vaccine should do the...

UPDATE: Governor Laura Kelly announced Kansas COVID-19 vaccine phases on January 7 (see graphic below). We remain in Phase 1, and we are told that this phase will last through the end of January. Phase 2 will include people age 65+ as well as "high-contact critical workers." Examples: Firefighters, police, first responders, grocery store workers, K-12 teachers and childcare workers, and workers from agriculture, the U.S. Postal Service, and retail. More information...