Mississippi State becomes vaccine distribution site for university employees
Mississippi State has been making plans to serve as a COVID-19 vaccination site and now will administer a limited supply of Pfizer vaccines.
The university announced last Friday [March 12] that vaccine distribution will begin for qualifying employees on Tuesday [March 16], and MSU will continue to request additional doses until all MSU employees wanting the vaccine receive it.
A formal request has been submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Mississippi State Department of Health to allow Mississippi State to administer vaccines not to just employees, but to students as well. However, employees and students are encouraged to continue to receive the vaccine from any authorized provider once they are eligible.
The university is following MSDH guidance for a phased rollout until more vaccines become available. Those currently eligible to receive vaccinations at the new MSU campus location -- a drive-thru site in the parking lot behind the Longest Student Health Center -- include:
-- Employees who are age 50 and older.
-- Employees 18-64 with underlying medical conditions.
-- Employees who are teachers/staff/employees in K-12, preschool or childcare settings.
-- Employees who are first responders (including law enforcement, public safety, fire services, and emergency management officials).
Due to the parking lot closure, permitted commuters and staff will be allowed to park in any resident or commuter zone while the lot behind the Longest Student Health Center is closed.
Those who meet current eligibility criteria may register for a vaccine at https://covidvaccine.msstate.edu/ with their MSU NetID and NetPassword. Please wait until your eligibility group is announced by the MSDH before accessing the website or visiting the vaccination area. Online registration is required.
MSU employees who meet eligibility requirements and work or reside outside of Starkville may sign up for a vaccine on the Starkville campus or find a provider in their local area. Additional options may become available as more vaccines are provided.
Those receiving the vaccine will need to access the website again to schedule their second dose, which should be administered three to six weeks after the first. If available time slots for the second dose are not listed, please continue to check the site for additional appointments.
“We are excited to be able to offer vaccines to eligible employees, and we expect more vaccines to arrive in the following weeks, so we ask everyone to be patient and continue to look for updates,” said MSU Emergency Manager Brent Crocker.
For questions about the MSU vaccine distribution, visit www.msstate.edu/covid19/vaccine/faq. To learn more about the Pfizer vaccine, visit www.fda.gov/media/144414/download.
Crocker noted that other vaccine distribution sites also are available in Oktibbeha County, including the Mississippi Horse Park on MSU’s campus which continues to be used as a public drive-through as part of MSDH’s ongoing vaccination efforts across the state. Employees are encouraged to explore options and receive a vaccine as soon as an appointment is available.
He said the following online resources may be helpful:
-- Mississippi State Department of Health: covidvaccine.umc.edu
-- Starkville Walmart: www.walmart.com/covidvaccine
-- Starkville Kroger: www.kroger.com/rx/covid-eligibility
-- OCH Regional Medical Center: www.och.org/covid
MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.
Allison Matthews | Public Affairs
