The Houston Department of Health opens the first COVID-19 vaccination site

HOUSTON – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Monday that the Houston Department of Health has opened its first COVID-19 vaccination site.

The standing clinic, located at Delmar Stadium, is expected to offer 1,000 vaccinations of the COVID-19 Modern vaccine per day on a scheduled basis alone.

Turner said the drive-thru clinic will operate Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., thanks to the city’s partnership with Houston United Medical Center.

“Our job is to vaccinate as many people as possible based on supply. I know there is a lot of anxiety in the community because people are worried, they can’t get an appointment. We know that the demand is higher than the vaccine supply “, said Turner.

People with disabilities and the elderly can make an appointment by phone. Turner said to call 832-393-4301 to be included on the COVID-19 vaccine waiting list. Currently, the department does not take additional meetings at this time, but when the offer increases, it will open the meeting portal. To follow the updates about when the portal will open, click here.

“It’s very important to share the number with people on your network, because we know that older people and people with disabilities have a harder time accessing the programming portal,” Turner said.

The mayor said the clinic is limited by the availability of the vaccine, but intends to meet its daily goal of 1,000 vaccinations. As of Monday, the Houston Department of Health says it has administered a total of 31,159 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

“I will work to vaccinate as many people as possible,” Turner said. “We are limited by the availability of the vaccine, but we do everything we can to use the resources we have in an accessible and fair way.

The Houston Department of Health reports the highest number of cases Monday. HHD reports 3,039 positive COVID-10 cases, bringing the city to a total of 149,515 and 11 new COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total to 1,719. Turner said the large number of cases was due to corrections made by the system in the past three days, which is why the number is so high. The positivity rate of the city is 17%.

Although Monday’s cases are high, Turner said the reproduction rate is low, which means the virus is not spreading as much. He also mentioned that the hospitalization rate and the ICU number are decreasing.

The medical director, Dr. David Persse, said the data showed some improvements, which are “very good and welcome.” Persse said the improvements are not due to the vaccine, but that people become more diligent wearing a mask after the holidays. He also addressed the confusion over getting the second dose of vaccine, saying that it is still important to get the second dose and depending on the vaccine you received, getting the second dose. dose a few days before or after the recommended time of 21 days or 28 days the interval will still be effective.

“We understand the anxiety, but we will reach everyone we vaccinate about the second dose. Please call only if you have not heard from us within 48 hours of the due date. The volume of calls about the second dose ahead of time creates long waiting periods at our call center, ”the Houston Department of Health wrote on Twitter.