LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Over 12 weeks ago, Broadbent Arena transformed from a place to hold graduation ceremonies and large events to LouVax, a mass COVID-19 vaccination site.


What You Need To Know

  • Nearly one-third of Louisville's population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine

  • Starting Monday, the eligibility window opens to allow those 40 and older to schedule appointments

  • LouVax, the mass vaccination clinic at Broadbent Arena, has administered over 70,000 vaccines

Every week, more and more Louisvillians become eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of Louisville Metro's Department of Public Health and Wellness, said progress toward herd immunity continues to grow.

"As of today, nearly 30% of all Louisvillians have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 37% of people over sixteen, and we're seeing that number grow everyday," Moyer said.

That number will continue to grow on Monday, March 29. That’s when Governor Andy Beshear said Kentuckians fourty and older can get the COVID-19 vaccine.

One Louisville resident told Spectrum News 1 that he hopes the vaccine will pose a bigger impact than just himself.

“I feel great, as far as genes go in my family we rarely get sick but of course that doesn’t mean much of anything but I’ve got grandchildren and whether my daughters doubt the vaccine or not I’m going to go ahead and get it, show a sign of leadership in the family," he said.

Just in the past twelve weeks Broadbent has served as one of the largest vaccinations sites in Kentucky, and it shows. More than 70,000 vaccines have been administered at the site.

The Kentucky Expo Center is primarily using the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine. The third vaccine, Johnson & Johnson's single dose shot, is being used for the city's homeless population.

On Friday, officials said they’ve reached a milestone in vaccinating the city’s homeless population against COVID-19. However that could all change as the city announced a 21-day notice to clear several of the large homeless encampments.

“The estimated homeless population at any given time is about 1,200 to 1,500 in Louisville, so at this point we’ve vaccinated about a third of or even higher of our population. We’re looking to find creative ways to get to the encampments because just from a capacity standpoint, just to find ways to get to the folks and get them into the clinic,” Andy Patterson, director of Homeless Services at Family Health Centers said.

Health officials at LouVax hope to have everyone vaccinated by the fall. But as spring break approaches for several schools across the Metro, Moyer is reminding everyone to take the proper precautions.

“A great reminder, everyone traveling for spring break to get tested before you leave, it’s not too late and then three to five days after you return. Remember to pack your masks, avoid large crowds especially places like bars and restaurants where mask-wearing is not possible,” Moyer said.

In addition to the 1,500 Johnson and Johnson doses coming to Louisville next week they’ve been informed another 1,500 will arrive the following week.

More information on where and when you can receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Louisville can be found here.