The number of Texans receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is increasing by the thousands every day, but this comes with frustration and long waiting times for some.
Tarrant County employs approximately 160 people every hour at a clinic near Interstate 35W and Interstate 20.
NBC5 heard from viewers who waited up to four hours in line on Monday for their vaccine and others who, despite having an appointment, received a “rain check” and asked to return the next day.
Those waiting in Tarrant County are expected to register through the county’s website and receive an appointment, but Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley said some people are just showing up to get an unscheduled vaccine. This led to longer lines and confusion.
The first people to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are to receive the second dose this week, while other eligible North Texans continue to line up. Ben Russell from NBC 5 explains the latest.
Whitley said the county is working to improve the process for everyone and is currently examining other possible clinics.
“People found out we were vaccinating those in 1B and it was opened and they went crazy wherever they could find it,” Whitley said.
Tarrant County Public Health Spokesman Brian Murnahan said anyone who can’t stand for long periods of time can call staff at the front of the line and arrangements will be made.
Since Monday, more than 100,000 people have signed up to be vaccinated in Tarrant County.
Whitley expected 1,600 people to be vaccinated on Monday and another 1,500 vaccinated on Tuesday with several vaccine shipments on the road.
While Tarrant County has managed to vaccinate more people than the surrounding counties, not all public health departments have the same capacity.
A Dallas County spokesman said they still have enough vaccines to prioritize first aid, but expects a vaccine shipment from the state this week. As of Monday morning, approximately 37,000 people had pre-registered through the Dallas County website to receive the vaccine once it became available.
Denton County Public Health vaccinated about 450 people during a car clinic on Monday morning, but registration is now closed because they no longer have vaccines.
County health departments only list people who fall into the official Phase 1A or Phase 1B category, according to criteria set by the state of Texas, who are eligible to receive the vaccine.
People who fall into Phase 1A include medical professionals and people who either live in or work for long-term care facilities.
Phase 1B people include anyone who is at least 65 years old or anyone who is at least 16 years old and living with any of the many chronic health conditions that make them more susceptible to COVID-19.
Also on Monday, some of the first health workers to receive the initial dose of COVID-19 vaccine received the second and final dose.
On Monday, starting at 7 o’clock in the morning, the medical professionals from Methodist Dallas were to receive the second dose of vaccine, exactly three weeks after receiving the first dose.
* Map locations are approximate, central locations for the city and are not intended to indicate where infected people actually live.
** County totals below include all 32 North Texas counties, not just Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant.