Where can you get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Wichita? County gives details

Sedgwick County residents who want the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine can now schedule an appointment.

Unlike the two-shot mRNa vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna), the Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one dose and introduces a modified version of the coronavirus into the body so it can build immunity against COVID-19.

Clinical trials showed the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was not as effective as mRNA vaccines at preventing COVID-19 infection but was highly effective at preventing hospitalizations and death.

The Sedgwick County Health Department is offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on the morning of Thursday, March 25, at the former Wichita Central Public Library, 223 S. Main.

To schedule an appointment through Sedgwick County, visit sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19/vaccine/schedule or call 316-660-1029. If that line is unavailable, call 316-660-7440 to leave a voicemail.

Anyone in vaccine phases 1-4 may receive a vaccine shot from the county health department. Phases 3 and 4 begin next week. Those phases include younger adults with medical risks such as asthma or obesity and essential workers such as construction workers and bank tellers.

Phase 3:

▪ People aged 16-64 with severe medical risks, including cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, Down syndrome, heart conditions, Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

▪ Utility workers, logistics workers, water/wastewater workers, construction workers, finance workers, information technology workers, communications workers, apartment leasing staff, real estate agents, DoorDash, UberEats and GrubHub drivers, and government employees.

Phase 4:

▪ People aged 16-64 with other medical risks, such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, liver disease, immunocompromised state, neurologic conditions such as dementia, Type 1 diabetes mellitus, obesity and severe obesity.

Sedgwick County is also providing first and second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine throughout the week at 223 S. Main, the County Extension Office at 7001 W. 21st St. and its Wichita Transit Operations drive-through clinic at 777 E. Waterman.

“Due to large turnouts at the community vaccination sites, those with severe medical risks should contact their medical provider or pharmacy to see if they are able to schedule the vaccination,” before scheduling an appointment with the health department, Sedgwick County spokesperson Kate Flavin said in an email.

People with a severe medical risk who are advised not to go to a large vaccine clinic may schedule an appointment at the county’s drive-thru clinic by calling 316-660-1029, Flavin said.

Those who qualify for a vaccine because of their job should bring an ID badge, pay stub or some other proof of employment to their appointment. Those who qualify by age should bring a document proving their age. People with medical risks should bring an ID card, driver’s license or any other document to verify their name.

This story was originally published March 18, 2021 at 3:15 PM.