The more contagious U.K. variant of COVID-19 has been identified in Louisiana, and all Louisianans need to take precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones.

State and local officials will mark the start of a community vaccination clinic in North Baton Rouge on Friday that will serve as a model of community collaboration to ensure vaccines reach underserved areas.

The Louisiana Department will be holding community COVID vaccination clinics in southwestern Louisiana during the week of February 22-27, 2021.

The more contagious U.K. variant of COVID-19 has been identified in Louisiana, and all Louisianans need to take precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones.

This week, 501 vaccine providers across the state will receive very limited doses of COVID vaccine. These providers - including 168 chain pharmacies, 138 independent pharmacies, 47 hospitals, 45 public health providers, 24 urgent cares, 23 federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), 18 community events, 16 medical practices, 12 rural health clinics (RHCs), and 10 other healthcare providers - represent all nine public health regions and 64 parishes of the state.

The community vaccination clinic for North Baton Rouge residents will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, February 26 and Saturday, February 27 at Living Faith Christian Center, 6375 Winbourne Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70805.

This group brings the total population eligible in Louisiana to nearly 1.65 million people. Louisiana is currently vaccinating people in Priority Group 1B-Tier One.

Sites in the Baton Rouge, Southwest, Cenla, Northwest and Northeast regions will remain closed today. Northwest and Northeast testing sites will remain closed through the rest of the week. An announcement will be made later today on reopening the remaining sites.

Residents who miss their second COVID vaccine dose appointments this week can safely delay the second dose days or weeks if need be.

Due to adverse winter weather conditions, COVID-19 testing sites operated by the Louisiana Army National Guard (LANG) are closed today in all regions except Region 1 (Greater New Orleans).