ST. LOUIS — Ahead of the Cardinal's home opener, FEMA employees were out in front of Busch Stadium spreading the word that vaccines are available a short walk away for anyone who wants one at the Dome clinic.
COVID-19 vaccinations are free and available without an appointment at the Dome at America's Center. The FEMA run clinic is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
The clinic opened on Tuesday with about 400 people getting vaccinated on that "soft opening" day. On Wednesday, about 700 doses were administered, and the number increased again Thursday to about 1,200.
In all, FEMA's vaccination center at the Dome has given shots to nearly 2,400 people.
But the clinic is capable of doing so much more.
"We're prepared for as many people as want to come," said John Mills with FEMA. "We can do up to 3,000 vaccinations a day, per day."
Appointments are not required; walk-ins are welcome.
Another bonus to the federally run clinic: if you want to get your second dose at the Dome, you can, even if you got the first dose somewhere else.
"Some people may have an appointment to get their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine a long drive from their home. They can come to the Dome instead if that's more convenient for them," Mills told 5 On Your Side.
If you are looking for that second Pfizer dose, bring your vaccination card with you to the Dome clinic and they will take care of you.
Mills said it's been a quick process at the Dome. Most people are in and out in 30 minutes — and that includes the post-vaccine wait. If you want to trim down time even more, you can register in advance on the state's Vaccine Navigator website or by calling 877-435-8411.
Free parking is available at Sixth and Cole streets. Patients are asked to use Entrance C at the corner of Broadway and Cole Street.
Pfizer's vaccine is approved and available for anyone 16 years and older.
The FEMA vaccine clinic at the Dome at America's Center is scheduled to run for the next eight weeks. Pfizer vaccine doses will be administered for the first six weeks; the last two weeks will be Johnson & Johnson single-dose shots.