Kroger Field Clinic Demobilizes, Vaccine Operations Transition to UK HealthCare Pharmacies
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 7, 2021) — The University of Kentucky Kroger Field COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic will transition its operations after May 14, following decreasing levels of COVID-19 vaccine demand.
Beginning Wednesday, May 19, on-campus vaccine operations will move to clinical and pharmaceutical settings operated by UK HealthCare. UK HealthCare pharmacy hours of operations are as follows:
Alumni Park Plaza, Tuesday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- 2317 Alumni Park Plaza, Lexington, KY 40517
- This site includes a drive-thru option as well
University Health Pharmacy, Tuesday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- 830 South Limestone, Lexington, KY 40536
Individuals who still need to schedule boosters after May 14 can receive their second dose at one of the UK HealthCare pharmacies.
If and when authorization is granted for adolescents (12-16 years old) to be vaccinated, those immunizations will be administered at the Alumni Park Plaza pharmacy in coordination with UK Kentucky Children’s Hospital.
“While this move signifies a new stage of our vaccine efforts, we are not resting in our commitment to make our people and communities safer,” said UK Police Chief Joe Monroe. “Our data and number of appointments indicate that a clinic of this size and scope is no longer necessary; however, we encourage anyone in the community who wants to receive the vaccine to schedule using the same sign-up platform we’ve used from the beginning.”
Individuals interested in receiving the vaccine should sign up at ukvaccine.org. Once invited, they can use a unique access code to schedule an appointment at one of the two UK HealthCare pharmacies. Any questions related to the sign-up process can be directed to 859-218-0111.
The Kroger Field COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic launched in January and supported the administration of more than 240,000 doses of the vaccine to people from across Kentucky. It was central to UK’s efforts in vaccinating first responders, K-12 employees, essential employees and the general public.
As of April 29, more than 60% of UK students, 70% of UK staff and 80% of UK faculty have been fully vaccinated or are in the process of being vaccinated through UK — numbers that are fueling UK’s plans to return to more robust in-person operations for the Fall 2021 semester.
UK President Eli Capilouto said the ability to transition from the clinic at Kroger Field to UK HealthCare pharmacies highlights the power of the institution’s modern public health infrastructure and its ability to adapt to the community’s evolving needs.
“This massive logistical lift would not be possible without the thousands of clinic workers and volunteers who have — in all that they have accomplished — put our community first,” Capilouto said. “It is time for them to return to their sacred duties so that we can continue fulfilling our mission as the University of, for and with Kentucky.”
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.