Houston Health Department Receives 9,000 Additional Doses of Vaccine; new appointments booked within minutes

HOUSTON – The Houston Health Department said on Friday afternoon 1,600 new appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine were booked within five minutes. The department said they received an additional 9,000 doses of the vaccine on Friday.

The new appointments were for the department’s new drive-thru vaccination site at Delmar Stadium, operated by United Memorial Medical Center, which is expected to open Monday.

Officials said people who show up without confirmed appointments will be turned away.

The department also plans to transfer 800 doses to other suppliers, vaccinate approximately 900 people rejected from Minute Maid Park last Saturday, and fulfill existing appointments at the Bayou City Event Center, health centers and multi-service centers.

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“We are delighted to be operating two massive vaccination centers next week, one in the north of the city and another on the south side. These two locations make the vaccine more accessible to all and complement the health and multi-service centers of the health department, ”said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “As we get more vaccines, we will expand partnerships with pharmacies and federally qualified health centers to ensure the vaccine is available in the most vulnerable communities and deploy mobile strike teams where necessary.”

The department intends to announce new appointment options every week, based on supply.

People can learn about new appointment options via email, text message, voice call, or mobile app push notification by registering for AlertHouston’s HoustonRecovers subscription at AlertHouston.org.

Appointments are based on vaccine availability and can be adjusted based on the department’s offerings.

On January 21, the department administered a total of 29,751 doses of vaccine.

People who have received their first dose of vaccine through the health department will be contacted about scheduling their second dose before the recommended due date. Check voicemails, text messages, and emails regularly for information.

The department is currently supplying the Moderna vaccine. The second dose of Moderna is recommended 28 days after the first dose.

Updated guidelines from the CDC say, “The second dose should be administered as close to the recommended interval as possible. However, if adherence to the recommended interval is not feasible, the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines can be scheduled for administration up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose. If the second dose is administered after these intervals, there is no need to restart the series. “

If contact information has changed since someone received the first dose from the health department, notify the COVID-19 call center at 832-393-4220.

“We understand the concerns about the second dose and appreciate everyone’s patience as we continue to work together to achieve the largest massive vaccination effort yet,” said Stephen L. Williams, director of the health department. “If you have been vaccinated by the Houston Health Department, you can be assured that we will contact you within the appropriate timeframe to schedule your second dose.”

Even when vaccinated, everyone still needs to take precautions such as masking, socializing, washing their hands, and getting tested to help stop the spread of COVID-19 while people are being vaccinated and we learn more about the immunity provided by the vaccines is being produced.

“Encourage your family and community to take ‘Take Your Best Shot’ as the vaccine becomes more widely available,” said Williams.

For the latest information on COVID-19 vaccinations through the Houston Health Department, visit the HoustonEmergency.org/covid19 vaccine page.