Confusion over the distribution of vaccines in Dallas, Tarrant

Both Tarrant and Dallas counties are trying to address confusion over who can get a COVID-19 shot.

Although the vaccines are allocated by the state, the distribution in each country looks different.

People hear that the vaccine is in their area and see how others are switching to it. But that does not mean that anyone can get it, even if you fit a certain category.

There is a very limited supply. Procedures vary by country, and each country is still figuring it out.

Tarrant County continues Phase 1B distribution

There were long lines on Tuesday before dawn at Arlington’s Esports complex of people wanting to be vaccinated.

There are about 40,000 eligible people in Tarrant County who receive a vaccine against COVID-19. Most are medical staff or first responders. About one in four is part of phase 1B: people older than 65 years or a person with underlying conditions.

The state continues to distribute Phase 1B vaccine, but not every country is there yet. Those who, like Tarrant County, are working out big kinks.

Too many people without appointments or arriving too early contribute to long periods of time and confusion at the public health office.

The rush to get the vaccine also led to long queues outside the Tarrant County Resource Connection in South Fort Worth.

This is a point of frustration for Tarrant District Judge Glen Whitley.

“It has to stop. It has to stop! Not only are we going to talk about it. But it has to stop!” he said.

Whitley called dr. Vinny Taneja, director of public health in Tarrant County, pressed about the country’s plan.

“I can not tell you how many phone calls I get from people who said, ‘I arrived at 10am when my appointment was. I ended up in a mile long queue. Nobody came back and asked me if I had an appointment. , ” Whitley said.

Dr Taneja insists that the provincial staff check appointments and ensure that people who have registered are eligible during Phase 1A or 1B. He says the initial plans for the Resource Connection facility changed quickly when the location became known.

“At that time we only had our closed private POD and the public started showing up. We can not say no,” said Dr. Taneja said.

“Yes, you can,” Whitley said. Yes you can! “

But dr. Taneja says they did not reject the unregistered people because the state instructed the provinces not to waste any vaccines.

“It was then that we were allowed to get the vaccine to fill the unfilled places,” the health director said.

The province is now identifying alternative vaccination sites with space for people to wait in their cars instead of in line.

The Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center in Fort Worth and the Hurst Conference Center as two possibilities on the table.

Commissioner Roy Brooks is asking for a site in each neighborhood.

“Community centers, libraries, churches, synagogues, mosques,” he said.

Remember that running a facility requires about 100 staff members at each location.

“We want to do in different areas like smaller footprints, so it’s more widespread access,” said dr. Taneja said.

Vaccine Registration Information in Tarrant County

Dallas County continues to focus on Frontline Workers

In Dallas County, local leaders are still figuring out how to clear up public messages.

To date, vaccine providers in Dallas County have received just over 85,000 doses. The province continues to focus on first responders and frontline workers in the 1A group.

“We’re bigger than Tarrant province, so I think we have more health workers,” said Dr. Philip Huang, director of health in Dallas.

It is not yet ready for group 1B, although people are asked to register for the vaccine on the country’s website.

This leads some to believe that they will be calling soon after it could take weeks or even months.

“Because when people read it, they say, ‘Oh my God! I’m on the list! I’m going to get the vaccine! But when?’ It is lost in this message, “said Dr. Dallas commissioner Elba Garcia said.

If you go to the vaccine provider dashboard in Texas, several pharmacies in the country with the vaccine are listed. What the dashboard does not tell you is that the pharmacies only work with long-term care facilities.

“All the vaccine that has gone to the pharmacies so far goes either to the nursing homes or to also work with the medical associations to cover the other outpatient clinics and staff,” said Dr. Huang said.

The question many people ask is when people can be vaccinated in the next phase. The answer from health officials is soon, but there is no definitive start date.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins says the state plans to send 2,000 doses a day from next week. But there is no answer as to whether it will be a priority for the 35,000 in group 1A who have yet to be vaccinated.

“We want to go to the 1B, and we plan to move to the 1B. There are only limited vaccines available,” said Dr. Huang said.

What the vaccine is available to the general population, says dr. Huang that it may take a few months.

“The expectation is that there will be sufficient supplies for the general population only in July or October,” he said. “But underestimate that it changes daily.”

Dallas County leaders say they are preparing for the distribution of Phase 1B as supply increases. They are considering mega-sites like the University of North Texas at Dallas, Fair Park or the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

“What we’re looking for is a very, very large footprint with large space with a lot of indoor space for observations after it was shot,” Jenkins said.

The goal is to open a mega website by next week.

Vaccine Registration Information in Dallas County