There are more jeans eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine than the doses available

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – Demand for the COVID-19 vaccine is growing every day and there are new efforts to get more doses in the state. Many of those who qualify in the first phase of distribution said they have difficulty getting the vaccine.

Katlyn Reed is 80 years old, but finds no vaccine against COVID-19. “I’ve probably tried to call about 20 locations,” the textbook writer said.

In the ongoing confusion of vaccine deployment in Texas, seniors and their families still find it nearly impossible to catch a dose of the coveted vaccines.

“It’s not enough to go around,” said Harry Still, who is looking for his mother’s vaccine. “It’s very frustrating and I mean it starts with the federal government and goes to our local community.”

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To the frustration, it is added that people see other younger people or who do not seem to have medical problems by posting vacant photos of themselves on social media.

The reality, however, is that the first reason for the lack of vaccines is the lack of supply. There just aren’t enough doses for everyone who wants it. According to the Texas State Department of Health (DSHS), the state agency has distributed about 2.06 million doses.

However, Texas has about 1.6 million health workers considered in Phase 1A. Phase 1B, which includes seniors and people with pre-existing health conditions, covers about 9.5 million jeans. Therefore, even at best, there is currently only a sufficient dose for one in five eligible jeans.

But there are signs of improvement. This week, DSHS finally moved from a “decentralized” model to a “hub” model.

The decentralized plan initially required jeans to take vaccine doses at the neighborhood pharmacy or their own doctor. But many jeans don’t have a pharmacy near home or a doctor connected to one of the big hospital systems.

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Now, the focus is on vaccination centers that can vaccinate thousands of people a day. In Harris County, the Harris County Department of Public Health, the City of Houston Department of Public Health and the Methodist Hospital are the designated centers.

“We’re full of these spaces for the center this weekend,” said Rob Phillips, chief executive officer of Houston Methodist. “We hope to get more supply from the state and we will always be able to do another center when that is available.”

State officials said during a call to lawmakers on Tuesday that they expect the incoming Biden administration to release all doses of vaccine when they seize it next week. Officials say they expect available doses to increase in Texas in early February.

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