Dallas opens ‘mega’ COVID vaccination site for eager North Texans ready to see their families

Dallas opens ‘mega’ COVID vaccination site for eager North Texans ready to see their families

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This is an evolving story and will be updated.

A World War II survivor, a retired commercial aviation pilot and a hotel house manager was one of the first North Texans to receive a COVID-19 vaccination at Dallas County’s first mega-vaccination site on Monday.

The Fair Park website, a partnership between the city and the county of Dallas, aims to vaccinate up to 2,000 people a day, depending on the offer. The site was opened while the state shifted the focus from smaller distribution sites to ‘hubs’ that could vaccinate thousands a day.

The site is open to anyone in North Texas. But people have to sign up online to get the vaccine, which is still limited. On Monday, people received the first of two doses needed to have the vaccine effective against the coronavirus.

In Texas, health workers are at the forefront, people over the age of 65 or who have serious health issues are eligible for the vaccination. An uneven rollout, however, left the Texans confused and desperate to find a shot. Several people in Fair Park reported joining various pharmacies and agencies.

“This is really the last fight in the battle for COVID-19,” Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said on the ground.

Hundreds of people bundled in winter coats in the cold outside the tower building on Monday and wrapped them in blankets, where they received the vaccine and were monitored for allergic reactions. They wore masks and face shields. They said the shot did not hurt.

Davis Mosmeyer, 69, was one of the first people in line. He said he hopes to be vaccinated so he can hold on to his fourth grandchild, who is expected to arrive in March.

“It’s a blessing,” he said. “I just want to be there when my daughter’s second baby arrives.”

Fair Park was selected as the county’s first vaccination site after several city councilors were concerned about the lack of vaccine distribution points under Interstate 30, where Dallas’ most vulnerable residents tend to live. Officials said fair access to the vaccine is a top priority.

A large portion of today’s shots are aimed at people over 75, Dallas judge Clay Jenkins said. Dallas County could not immediately provide demographic information for the individuals who would be planning for appointments Monday.

People are waiting in a long line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Fair Park on Monday, January 11, 2021 in Dallas. Dallas County has its first

1/15People are waiting in a long line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Fair Park on Monday, January 11, 2021 in Dallas. Dallas County unveiled its first “mega” public COVID-19 vaccination site Monday at Fair Park.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

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