The Houston Department of Health said it was experiencing technical difficulties Saturday morning as people looking to make an appointment for the city’s first COVID-19 vaccination clinic – which has 750 doses available for the day – overwhelmed the call center, officials said. said.
“The amount of calls to our COVID19 call center has overwhelmed the system and it is currently experiencing technical difficulties,” the department tweeted about an hour after the phone lines opened. “We are actively working to resolve this issue and will provide an update as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
Mayor Sylvester Turner said the health department would rather move on to registration on the site. Traffic management is introduced. People who are eligible for a vaccine and are interested in getting one should go to the Bayou City Event Center, 9401 Knight Road, to get an appointment time.
Long drive cars turning up and down the block outside the Bayou City Event Center where people are trying to get a COVID vaccine. Earlier, the health department’s call center collapsed due to high volume. There are only 750 doses for high-risk groups today. pic.twitter.com/fCVkAG1hV1
– Anna Bauman (@ abauman2) 2 January 2021
The Department of Health and Turner announced Friday that the city will open its first free vaccination clinic on Saturday to expand access to high-risk residents for serious health consequences of the disease, including the elderly.
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The city has instructed people to call the COVID-19 call center at 0832-393-4220 at the health department between 07:30 and 16:00 on Saturday to get the location and appointment.
However, an hour after the phone lines were opened, the system was overwhelmed and the phone line crashed.
“If the problem cannot be resolved within the next 30 minutes, we will go to an alternative plan and let you know. Please be patient,” Turner said.
People need to keep an eye on social media for updates, city officials said.
The clinic offers a dose of Moderna vaccine for people over 65, people with at least one chronic medical condition and health professionals at the forefront.
The health department said it would announce more free vaccination opportunities “as supply increases.” City officials said the department received its first 3,000 doses and began administering them on Dec. 28.
Update: The call center is up and running again for appointments. The clinic will probably be able to let in about 160 cars before the driveway per city official is turned off, but all appointments will be honored.
– Anna Bauman (@ abauman2) 2 January 2021