UMC record for 5,000 vaccinations was completed in just 5 minutes

UPDATE: The University Medical Center said all of its last vaccination appointments were booked within five minutes of the online registration going live at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. No other place is currently available.

ORIGINAL REPORT: EL PASO, Texas – University Medical Center said on Saturday that it has now received 5,000 more doses of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine which it will soon distribute at a new mega site at the El Paso County Coliseum.

Registration will open at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at UMCelpaso.org for those in state immunization categories 1A and 1B, which includes healthcare workers, first responders, anyone 65 and over, or others with certain underlying health conditions.

The website will only accept registrations until all open appointments are scheduled. After this point, the site will close access.

This was the third batch of 5,000 doses sent to UMC for administration to the public. The last time UMC received a shipment and made online appointment registrations, all of the slots were filled within 12 minutes.

In addition to obtaining 5,000 additional doses by UMC, a similar shipment was due to arrive at the El Paso health service. Like UMC, the city of El Paso also ensures the public distribution of vaccines on a mega site; the city site is close to the airport and pre-registration by appointment is available on EPCovidVaccine.com or by calling 21-COVID (212-6843).