The challenge of vaccinating rural Missouri
Nearly 40% of people in the Show-Me State live in a place where they're less likely to get vaccinated against COVID-19
Author: Abby Llorico
Updated: 9:40 AM EST February 12, 2021
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Mo. — As the leader of St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Franklin County, Pastor Marty Singer is a man of faith — in God, and the COVID-19 vaccines.
“I see the Lord's hand in this, I really do,” he said. “If people ask me, ‘pastor what would you do?’, believe me, if I could roll my sleeve up right now, I’d take it.”
He’s in an age group qualified to get a COVID-19 vaccine under Missouri’s rollout plan, but he says he’s had no luck getting through local pre-registration websites, and people he’s spoken to on the phone tell him he may not get the shot until spring.