Confusion surrounds vaccine distributions in Dallas, Tarrant Counties

Tarrant and Dallas counties are trying to clear up confusion over who can get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Even though vaccines are allocated by the state, the distribution seems different in each county.

People hear that the vaccine is in their area and they see others lining up to do it. But that doesn’t mean that anyone can get it, even if you belong to a certain category.

The offer is very limited. Procedures vary from county to county, and every county is still finding out.

County of Tarrant continues distribution of Phase 1B

There were long lines before sunrise Tuesday at the Arlington Esports complex for people wanting to get their shots.

There are approximately 40,000 eligible people in Tarrant County who are expected to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Most are medical personnel or first responders. But about one in four people are in phase 1B: people over 65 or someone with underlying illnesses.

The state is continuing to distribute Phase 1B vaccines, but not all counties are there yet. Those that are, like Tarrant County, are fixing major issues.

Too many people without an appointment or arriving too early contribute to long queues and confusion at the county public health unit.

The rush to get the vaccine also led to long lines outside the Tarrant County Resource Connection in South Fort Worth.

This is a point of frustration for Judge Glen Whitley of Tarrant County.

“It must stop. It must stop! Not only will we talk about it. But it must stop!” he said.

Whitley pressed Tarrant County Public Health Director Dr Vinny Taneja of the county’s plan to move forward.

“I can’t tell you how many phone calls I get from people who said, ‘I showed up at 10 am when I was due. I ended up on a mile long line. . No one came back to ask me if I had a date, “Whitley said.

Dr Taneja insists that county staff verify appointments and make sure registrants are eligible to get vaccinated during phase 1A or 1B. He says the original plans for the Resource Connection facility quickly changed when the location went public.

“We only had our private POD closed at that point and the public started showing up. We can’t say no,” Dr Taneja said.

“Yes you can,” Whitley said. Yes you can!”

But Dr Taneja says they haven’t turned away those unregistered people because the state ordered counties not to waste vaccines.

“That’s when we allowed them to come in and get vaccinated to fill those unfilled places,” the health director said.

The county is currently in the process of identifying alternative vaccination sites with space for people to wait in their cars instead of queuing.

The Wilkerson-Greines activity center in Fort Worth and the Hurst Convention Center as two possibilities on the table.

Commissioner Roy Brooks calls for a site in each neighborhood.

“Community centers, libraries, churches, synagogues, mosques,” he said.

Keep in mind that running a facility requires approximately 100 staff at each site.

“We want to make like a smaller footprint in several areas so that it is more distributed access,” said Dr Taneja.

Tarrant County Vaccine Registration Information

Dallas County Still Focuses on Frontline Workers

In Dallas County, local leaders are still trying to clarify public messages.

To date, Dallas County vaccine suppliers have received just over 85,000 doses. The county continues to focus on first responders and frontline workers in Group 1A.

“We’re bigger than Tarrant County, so I imagine we have more healthcare workers,” said Dr Philip Huang, Dallas County director of health.

He is not yet ready for Group 1B, although people are encouraged to sign up for the vaccine on the county’s website.

This leads some to believe that they will get a call soon when it could still take weeks or even months.

“Because when people read this, they say, ‘Oh my God! I’m on the list! I’m going to get vaccinated! But when? “It gets lost in this message,” said Dallas County Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia.

If you go to the Texas Vaccine Provider Dashboard, it shows several county pharmacies with the vaccine. What the dashboard doesn’t tell you is that these pharmacies only work with long-term care facilities.

“All of the vaccine that has gone to pharmacies so far is either intended for nursing homes or also works with medical companies to cover other outpatients and staff,” Dr Huang said.

The question many are asking is when will people in the next phase be able to get vaccinated. The response from health officials is soon, but there is no definitive start date.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said the state plans to send 2,000 doses per day starting next week. But there is no answer as to whether these will be a priority for the 35,000 group 1A who have not yet been vaccinated.

“We want to move to 1B, and we plan to move to 1B. There are just still few vaccines available,” said Dr Huang.

As to when the vaccine will be available to the general population, Dr Huang says it could take several months.

“It is expected that maybe not until July or October for there to be sufficient supplies for the general population,” he said. “But knowing that it changes every day.”

Dallas County officials say they are preparing for the distribution of Phase 1B as supply increases. They are considering mega-sites like the University of North Texas at Dallas, Fair Park or the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

“What we’re looking for is a very, very large footprint with a large space with a lot of interior space for observations after receiving photos,” Jenkins said.

The goal is to open a mega-site next week.

Dallas County Vaccine Registration Information