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EL PASO, Texas – The West Clinic at University Medical Center became the first facility in El Paso to administer Covid-19 vaccines to high-risk members of the general public on Wednesday.
The clinic dispensed vaccines to people aged 75 and over until 5 p.m. at 6600 N. Desert Boulevard in El Paso.
UMC officials along with El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego confirmed to ABC-7 that the vaccinations, which had not been announced before, were taking place.
Earlier on Wednesday, the El Paso Public Health Department announced that it will soon begin Covid-19 vaccinations for El Pasoans aged 65 and over and those aged 16 and over with certain chronic conditions .
The plans are in line with the Texas Department of State Health Services guidelines unveiled earlier this week to “protect the most vulnerable populations.”
“Since Phase 1B provides the vaccine to people at high risk regardless of their industry or status, it will provide protection to a number of critical populations at increased risk of contracting Covid-19,” said Angela Mora, director of the El Paso health department.
The vaccine, which first arrived in El Paso on December 14, until Wednesday, had so far only been given to frontline healthcare workers.
In a statement, El Paso health officials said “the next Covid-19 priority group will start receiving the vaccine in the coming weeks,” but provided no further details on the availability schedule.
Eligible underlying health conditions for the next phase of the vaccine will include, but are not limited to:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Heart disease, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
- Solid organ transplantation
- Obesity and severe obesity
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell anemia
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Officials said they will notify El Pasoans once the vaccine is available for the next phase and provide information on how to schedule vaccination appointments on EPStrong.org.
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