FRANKFORT, Ky. — Multiple COVID-19 vaccination sites will open across Kentucky as the inoculation network grows in preparation for increased vaccine shipments, Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday.

More than 555,000 Kentuckians have received at least their first dose of vaccine, but the state’s ability to provide shots still far outpaces available supplies, Beshear said.

The network of vaccination sites will grow to 291 next week with the new openings, which include regional centers in Albany, Cadiz, Campbellsville, Hartford, Marion and Maysville, he said.

20 Kroger sites and 25 Walmart sites are among the new locations opening Feb. 22. Kentucky's full map of vaccine locations can be found here.

“There is a provider that has vaccine close to where everybody lives in the commonwealth,” Beshear said at a news conference. “There are some areas where you might have to drive just a little bit further, but we continue to build this out.”

Kentucky is set to receive another 29% increase in COVID-19 vaccine supply from the federal government next week, Beshear has said. Recent increases haven’t kept up with demand, which means providers have limited supplies as the buildup of vaccination sites continues, he said.

“The reason we have to do this is we expect significant additional supply in March and as we move into the summer,” the governor said.

The state's infection rate and case count continue to decline as Beshear reported 963 new COVID-19 infections, 37 new COVID-related deaths, and a 7.07% positivity rate Thursday.