BRYAN, Texas (CBTX) – Last week, officials from the Brazos Center Vaccination Center announced that a new website has been added to help residents register for a COVID-19 vaccine. However, this new system is only for those who want to sign up for their first dose of the vaccine.
Officials confirm if you are waiting for an email to plan your second dose, there is no need to re-register on the new website. Those awaiting their second admission are already in the system and should receive an email during their vaccination period.
The vaccination center of Brazos Center will deliver another 7,300 shots this week, of which 5,000 are first doses, as it moves on to a new registration process that was officially launched on Monday, March 8th.
“We were all a little worried that it would crash, but it did not happen. The people we emailed, the remaining people on the waiting list, they filled out a bunch of appointments on Monday and we opened for everyone else on Wednesday and Tuesday, “said Jim Stewart Brazos County’s vaccination chief.
By Monday afternoon, all 4,300 appointments had been filled with the new system.
Appointments for first doses are only available weekly. They cannot be scheduled weeks in advance until the center officials know how many doses are available each week. Appointments reopen every Friday and will be available until everyone is full.
Those receiving second doses at the center will do so through the new transit system on Thursday and Friday. Last week hub operators did a trial run, this week 2300 doses are administered.
“We’re going to try to run it all just to put the system under such pressure to see if it will accommodate and do what we hope,” Stewart said.
Stewart says they are continuing to adjust the operations to match the two-dose Moderna vaccine.
“We have proven that we are so successful with the Moderna, that we will receive the Moderna, as long as it is manufactured in the volumes and provides what we need,” Stewart said.
So as for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Stewart says it’s not in their immediate plans.
“It reduces our workload by half, but I don’t see it being on the road in the short term, but not in the short term,” Stewart said.
The center has also decided to move away from the 211 system to schedule appointments by phone. Those who do not have access to a computer and are eligible for a vaccine can contact the call center directly to make an appointment by calling 979-703-1545. This number should also be used by those who want to seek information about the second dose. The call center is open from 09:00 to 15:00 from Monday to Friday. Stewart says since the opening of the call center, more than 400 people have been registered.
If you are part of Phase 1A or Phase 1B or if you are a school or childcare staff, you are eligible to plan an appointment.
These groups contain the following:
– Frontline healthcare workers
– Residents at long-term care facilities
– School or childcare staff
– Individuals 65 years and older
– Individuals 18 years and older with a health condition that increases the risk of serious COVID-19 disease
Please note: the Brazos Hub does not offer vaccinations. All individuals must have a confirmed appointment.
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