Houston Methodist CEO addresses frustrations over vaccine distribution

HOUSTON – Houston Methodist is organizing a clinic this weekend, but it is only open to patients in the hospital system.

Similar “invitation-only” clinics have been launched by other hospitals in the Houston area, and this has led to claims of inequity in the way the vaccine is distributed.

“We understand him,” said Dr. Marc Boom, CEO of Houston Methodist. “We understand why people are frustrated. Everyone wants to be vaccinated now. ”

Boom said the 75-year-olds and over who were invited to attend the clinic this weekend represent people in every Houston zip code.

Boom said his hospital works with four federally qualified health clinics to make sure it goes deep into some of Houston’s most vulnerable and affected areas. The goal, Boom said, is to reach more people in areas where there has been a high percentage of COVID-19 cases and where most residents are uninsured.

“I think we are working very actively and intentionally to address these issues and to make sure we get vaccines in people’s arms fairly, fairly in our community as soon as possible,” Boom said. “We were selected by the state as a center because we took the vaccines in our arms so quickly.”

According to Boom, Methodist administered 44,000 first doses and 13,000 second doses of Pfizer vaccine.

Boom said he was optimistic there would be a faster acceleration in the arrival of the vaccine in a few weeks.

You can watch Boom’s full interview below.