This story has been updated.
Kansas has launched an online map that shows which hospitals and other locations offer COVID-19 vaccinations.
The tool — called Find My Vaccine — shows dozens of sites across Kansas marked in either orange or blue.
Those colors show you where the latest shipments of vaccine doses went.
Orange sites haven’t received doses this week that would be available to people seeking their first shot. Those sites may have doses on hand reserved for people who are scheduled to receive their second shot. But that detail — second doses — doesn’t show up on the map, because it wouldn’t help the average person who is hoping to get their first shot.
Blue sites have received a shipment of doses this week that are meant for people looking to get their first shot.
If you see your county hospital or another site near you is offering shots, call and ask to get onto their wait list.
Keep in mind, Kansas still only receives about 45,000 doses a week from the federal government for use outside of nursing homes.
Compare that to the approximately 1 million Kansans that meet the current criteria for getting shots.
Kansas is in Phase 2 of its vaccine rollout. It includes people over the age of 65. It also covers teachers, grocery workers, first responders, prison inmates and many others. The state offers more detail here.
Right now, the state’s vaccine map mostly shows county health departments and hospitals, but as vaccine supply increases, it’s likely more providers will appear on the map. Pharmacies, for example, have made clear that they want to participate.
Meanwhile, some major pharmacy chains will soon offer the vaccine through a separate federal program that sends doses directly to retailers. A limited number of drug stores will receive supplies starting the week of Feb. 8, but the list could grow later.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists the participating chains for Kansas here. Visit each chain's website for details on whether doses will come to a store near you, and how to schedule a shot.
For more on how vaccine distribution works in Kansas and how widespread coronavirus is in the state, check out our FAQ.
Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at celia (at) kcur (dot) org. The Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their connection to public policy.
Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished by news media at no cost with proper attribution and a link to ksnewsservice.org.
