Harris Health System’s release of COVID-19 will run out Friday afternoon

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – The Harris Health System will run out of COVID-19 vaccine on Friday afternoon. The chief executive of the safety net health group told ABC13 on Thursday afternoon that they were canceling hundreds of vaccinations at seven Harris Health locations in Harris County.

In an interview with Ted Oberg of ABC13, Dr Esmaeil Porsa said: “This is no way to plan. This is no way to run a business, let alone a healthcare business. But it’s alas, it’s a situation where you are dealing. “

Porsa said it has no idea when the state will ship more and only notices that it is getting a tracking number that a new consignment is on its way. Late Thursday afternoon there was still no notice.

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“We serve a section of this population that has been excessively affected by COVID-19 since its inception. This has been true throughout the pandemic. It is true today. These are the same patients who are now not among the first to be vaccinated because “I do not have access to the vaccine … They have no other options. That is why we exist. Our mission is to care for those in this community who have no other options. We are their only option.”

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Harris Health vaccinated approximately 9,000 patients in Group 1B. None of them received a second dose and Harris Health did not have their second doses on hand. They say they are assured that they will be sent.

Porsa said patients whose appointments are canceled will be contacted by Harris Health.

ABC13 has dr. David Persse, Houston Health Authority, asked about the lack of supply from the Harris Health System and said it was largely due to those making the vaccine.

“It sounds like that’s the manufacturer’s limit,” Persse explained. “Moderna and Pfizer are both increasing production, so it’s going to take a while. I do not know exactly when. I’m told it might be six to eight weeks for the amount of vaccines available for the United States as a whole, and therefore each individual state will increase. ‘

The Texas Department of Public Health has told 13 investigators in the past that it affects issues surrounding the distribution of vaccines across the state. We called on Thursday afternoon about this issue and will update when we get more information.

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