Dallas County residents who meet the requirements for the COVID-19 vaccine in Phases 1A and 1B can register online to be inoculated, the county health department announced Saturday.
Online registration and screening is for people who get vaccinated through Dallas County Human Services and Health, not for all county health care providers.
Health officials said supply of vaccines on Saturday was limited, but expected more doses “in the coming weeks and months.”
“Currently, this DCHHS site will only register Dallas County residents and priority will be given within 1B to those with the highest vulnerability scores until no more vaccine is available,” said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins in a statement. “In the meantime, we are working with the DFW Hospital Council and others to increase rapid and equitable vaccinations across the county.”
Click here to register and find out more about the COVID-19 vaccine. Phases 1A and 1B are determined by the Texas State Department of Health Services.
“As more vaccines become available, we will work through the registration list and determine eligibility. We look forward to receiving additional state allocations soon so we can continue to work with our partners and begin meeting the needs of our community. and turn the corner in the fight against this virus, ”the director of the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services. Philip Huang said in a statement.
The deployment of COVID-19 vaccines continued this weekend across the state and across the country as health leaders work to inoculate so many willing and skilled people on the line.
Efforts to vaccinate first responders resumed Saturday at the Kay Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas. This week, the city began widespread vaccinations for Dallas Fire-Rescue first aid, the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas City Marshals after receiving 2,000 doses of the state’s Modern vaccine.
“Right now, as we advance the deployment process, we’re learning to do it perfectly,” said Dominique Artis, Dallas ’fire chief. “This is the beginning of the exit of this dark tunnel. We can see the light. Now we just try to come to light.
Department spokesman Jason Evans said they expected to complete the first assignment on Tuesday or Wednesday. So far there have been no significant operational challenges, Evans said.
“We have administered them to front-line health workers in group 1A. So we don’t have a vaccine right now, “Jenkins said.” We still have 1As to get, but we’re trying to install a system to open it up to 1B. “
In Dallas County, the DCHHS assignment has not been open to people who are considered to be part of Group “1B,” which includes those age 65 or older, plus 16, and older with at least one state of health. chronic. However, some entities, such as certain hospitals and medical offices, have already begun offering vaccines to those in group 1B.
When at this time it is difficult to measure widespread access for 1B across the county, Jenkins said.
“It depends on the size of the allocation. This will continue to improve. CVS, Walgreens and others don’t have the capabilities to get the 1Bs off the street, but that will happen soon,” he said. my hope is this weekend or maybe Monday that the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services can get a website so you can get on the waiting list with us. ”
Going forward, he said he believed better communication was needed between the state and hospitals. For now, he urges people to stay alert with COVID-19 protocols and to be patient as vaccination efforts increase.
“It doesn’t mean we have to be patient and sit on the couch and wait for someone else, but we have to be patient and realize you’re trying to get your grandmother to have a shot, but 30 million jeans trying to get a grandmother also shot “, he said.
* Map locations are approximate, central locations in the city and are not intended to indicate where infected people live.
** County totals below include the 32 counties in North Texas, not just Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant.