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Womack Urges Arkansans to Get Vaccinated, Shares Resources

Washington, DC—March 30, 2021….Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) is urging all eligible Third District Arkansans to register to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations. He is joining local and state community and health leaders in raising public awareness on vaccinations after recent data showed concerningly-low inoculation rates in Northwest Arkansas.  

Congressman Womack said, “Science and the power of Operation Warp Speed have brought us several safe and effective vaccines. But, to unleash the full power of this ingenuity, we need these shots to reach residents. I strongly encourage every eligible Arkansan to get vaccinated and ensure no supply goes unused in the Third District. I myself have received the full vaccination and am thankful for the work of health professionals across the state. Each dose administered is another step toward ending this pandemic.”

Governor Asa Hutchinson said, “We are making progress, but in order for us to beat COVID-19, we must double or triple our number of vaccinations so that we have immunized a sufficient number of Arkansans to stop the spread from person to person. I am thankful for all those who are helping us to beat the pandemic by doing the right thing.”

Colonel (Ret.) Robert Ator, Program Manager for Arkansas Vaccine Distribution, said, “The Arkansas Department of Health and I truly appreciate the coordination of the Northwest Arkansas community. That partnership begins with Congressman Womack and is finished with the hard work of all our partners that include the Northwest Arkansas Council, our hospitals, pharmacies, local health units, and chamber of commerce institutions. These efforts represent the best of the Natural State, and vaccinations are critical to protecting our neighbors and fully reopening Arkansas and our nation.”

Ryan Cork, Executive Director of the Northwest Arkansas Council Health Care Transformation Division, said, “The Northwest Arkansas Council is working with numerous partners across the state to ensure all eligible Arkansans have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. We encourage residents to utilize the Council’s vaccine community calendar and resource page on our website. It’s critical that Arkansans have the most up-to-date information on vaccine safety and clinics being held throughout the region, and we thank our local and federal leaders, including Congressman Womack, for raising awareness on this important priority.”

While Arkansas has implemented a robust vaccination plan, recent data found that counties in the Third District had lower-than-desired inoculation rates, with no county reaching over 20% of its population being partially vaccinated. The statistics indicate an important need to increase vaccination rates across Northwest Arkansas. Womack is working in coordination with Governor Hutchinson, the Arkansas Department of Health, and Arkansas’s Community Health Centers to enhance vaccination rates and further protect the public health and safety of residents. He also recently sent a letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) requesting the agency bolster allocations of COVID-19 vaccination doses to the Third District.

Vaccinations are safe, effective, prevent illness, and will help save lives.

Vaccine Registration Resources:

  • Arkansas vaccine call-line: 1-800-985-6030
  • Arkansas Department of Health Map: Location Map
  • Northwest Arkansas Council: Full calendar with registration links
  • Mercy Hospital (Rogers or Fort Smith): http://www.mercy.net/getvaccinenwa
    • If you don’t have internet access, you may call 833-364-6777
  • Washington Regional (Various Third District Locations): https://www.wregional.com/main/covid-19-vaccine-faq
    • If you don’t have internet access, you may call 479-463-1000
  • Baptist Health (Sebastian and Crawford Counties): https://www.baptist-health.com/covid-19-vaccine/          
    • If you don’t have internet access, you may call 1-888-BAPTIST
  • Pope County Pharmacy Location Examples:
  • North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (Harrison): https://www.narmc.com/
    • If you don’t have internet access, you may call 870-414-2021
  • Veterans Affairs Vaccine Info:
    • Drive-Thru/Walk-In Clinics
      • Veterans must be enrolled in VA healthcare at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO) or one of its seven Community Based Outpatient Clinics.
      • Veterans will receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, along with an automatic appointment to get the second dose of the vaccine.
      • VHSO staff will continue to call Veterans to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Scheduled appointments are Monday – Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
      • Non-enrolled Veterans can apply for VA health care here or by calling 877-222-8387.
    • Drive-Thru Vaccine Clinic at VHSO Fayetteville Medical Center – VHSO Primary Care Entrance
      • Scheduled Appointments
        • Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
      • Unscheduled Appointments/No Appointment Required
        • Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
    • Walk-In Vaccine Clinic – VHSO Building 21 Laboratory
      • Scheduled Appointments
        • Saturdays 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
      • Unscheduled Appointments
        • Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Eligibility Information:

Eligible Arkansans include residents who qualify under Phases 1-A, 1-B, and 1-C:

Phase 1-C

  • Arkansans aged 16 to 64 with health conditions that increase their risk for severe COVID-19.
  • Essential workers in:
    • Energy
    • Finance
    • Foodservice
    • Information technology and communications
    • Legal
    • Media
    • Public health/human services
    • Public safety
    • Shelter and housing
    • Transportation and logistics
  • People residing in high-risk settings
    • Includes those who are incarcerated or detained; those living in group homes, congregate settings, or crowded housing; and student housing such as dorms and Greek housing.

Phase 1-B

  • 65 years and older
  • Education
  • Police, fire, other first responders
  • Corrections
  • Food and Agriculture
  • People with intellectual or developmental disabilities
  • Essential Government
  • Grocery Store/Meal Delivery
  • Postal/Package Delivery Service
  • Public Transit
  • Houses of Worship Clergy/Faith Leaders
  • Manufacturing

1-A

  • Health care workers, residents, and staff at long-term care facilities
  • EMS, fire, and law enforcement who serve as first responders
  • Primary care, urgent care, college/university student health center, K-12 health clinics, and school nurses
  • Dental clinics, pharmacies, home health, private care/personal care, hospice care, dialysis centers
  • Correctional staff
  • Other high priority groups

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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