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

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

The permanent clinic, located at Delmar Stadium, is expected to provide 1,000 vaccines a day of the Modern COVID-19 vaccine a day by appointment only.

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 collaboration with the Houston United Medical Center.

“Our job is to vaccinate as many people as possible according to the supply. I know there’s a lot of anxiety in the community because people are worried and can’t make an appointment. We know the demand is higher than the supply of vaccines, ”Turner said.

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

“It’s very important that you share the number with people in your network because we know that older people and people with disabilities have more difficulty accessing the dating portal,” Turner said.

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

“I will work to vaccinate as many people as possible,” Turner said. “We are limited by the availability of vaccines, but we are doing our best to use the resources we have in an accessible and equitable way.

The Houston Department of Health reported the highest number of cases Monday. HHD reports 3,039 positive cases of COVID-10, bringing the city’s total to 149,515 and 11 new COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the total to 1,719. Turner said the large number of cases is due to some corrections the system has made over 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, meaning the virus doesn’t spread as much. He also noted that the hospitalization rate and the number of ICUs are decreasing.

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

“We understand the anxiety, but we will reach everyone who vaccinates on the second dose. Call only if you have not heard from us within 48 hours of the due date. The volume of calls on the second dose in advance is creating long times of ‘Wait at our call center,’ the Houston Department of Health said Monday.