The number of Texans receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is increasing by the thousands every day, but it comes with frustrations and long waiting times for some.
Tarrant County employs about 160 people every hour in a clinic that runs near the Interstate 35W interchange with Interstate 20.
NBC5 heard of viewers waiting in line for up to four hours on Monday for their vaccine and others, who despite an appointment were given a ‘rain check’ and asked to return the next day.
Those waiting in Tarrant County are expected to register via the country’s website and get an appointment, but Glen Whitley, a judge in Tarrant County, said some people just showed up to get a vaccine without an appointment , and this led to longer lines and confusion.
The first people to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will receive second doses this week, as other qualifying North Texans continue their turn. Ben Russell of NBC 5 explains the latest.
Whitley said the county is working to make the process smoother for everyone and is currently reviewing other clinics.
“People found out we were giving vaccinations to those in 1B and it was opened and they were just a mad rush to wherever they could find it,” Whitley said.
Brian Murnahan, public health spokesman in Tarrant County, said anyone who could not stand for long periods of time could notify staff at the front of the queue, and arrangements would be made.
As of Monday, more than 100,000 people have signed up to be vaccinated by Tarrant County.
Whitley expected 1,600 people to be vaccinated on Monday and another 1,500 to be vaccinated on Tuesday with more loads on the way.
While Tarrant County was able to vaccinate more people than surrounding provinces, not all public health departments have the same capability.
A Dallas County spokesman said they still have just enough vaccines to prioritize first responders, but they expect this week to be a load of vaccines from the state. As of Monday morning, approximately 37,000 people had pre-registered through the Dallas County website to receive the vaccine as soon as it became available.
Denton County Public Health vaccinated about 450 people during a transit clinic on Monday morning, but registration is now closed because they have no vaccination.
Provincial health departments emphasize that only people who fall under the official category of Phase 1A or Phase 1B, according to the criteria set forth by the State of Texas, are eligible to receive the vaccine.
People who fall into the Phase 1A category include medical professionals and people who live or work in long-term care facilities.
People who fall into the category of Phase 1B include anyone who is at least 65 years old or someone who is at least 16 years old and living in one of several chronic health conditions that make them more susceptible to COVID-19.
As of Monday, some of the first health workers to receive the initial dose of COVID-19 vaccine will receive their second and final dose.
On Monday at 7 p.m., medical staff at Methodist Dallas would receive the second dose of the vaccine, exactly three weeks after receiving the first dose.
* Map locations are approximate, centrally located to the city and are not intended to indicate where actual infected people live.
** Land totals below include all 32 states of North Texas, not just Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant.