Leaders from Bexar County, San Antonio are calling for a COVID-19 vaccination site on the north side

SAN ANTONIO – Bexar County Precinct 3 Commissioner Trish DeBerry and three San Antonio City Councilors representing North Side areas are calling on the Metropolitan Health District and Bexar County Hospital District to collaborate on a COVID-19 vaccination site in the northern part of the province.

Texas is expected to receive 200,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in the next week, which recently received an emergency permit from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

DeBerry says the shipment gives the city and county a chance to create a new vaccination site.

“The FDA approval and shipment of Johnson & Johnson creates a unique opportunity for the city and county to partner by expanding vaccine distribution,” DeBerry said in a written statement.

District 8, 9 and 10 councilors Manny Pelaez, John Courage and Clayton Perry joined Deberry to apply for a new vaccination site in northern Bexar County.

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Pelaez said the site would make it easier to access vaccines.

“Convenience is the key to success,” said Pelaez. “By relocating the location where people live and work, we are more likely to slow down the spread of the virus.”

County officials said more than 200,000 people have received a vaccine through the town at Alamodome and the county at the Wonderland of the Americas shopping center.

Courage said current vaccination sites are not meeting their goals of vaccinating disadvantaged populations.

“Current vaccination clinics are failing in their intended goal, which is to vaccinate the most disadvantaged population groups. The data shows that these clinics have a higher number of northern residents being vaccinated. Why not make it easier for our constituents? We’re not saying you should scrap those clinics, just add more, ”Courage said in a written statement.

• The local leaders suggest the following sites as potential vaccination sites in northern Bexar County as they are on easily accessible major roads:

• Toyota Field on Wurzbach Parkway

• VIA Park and Ride on Highway 281

• Alzafar Temple on Loop 1604

• Fiesta Texas on Interstate 10

“If the plan is to continue mass vaccination clinics in our community, we now need a COVID vaccination site north of Loop 410. We have been told it is not a lack of available sites, but a Lack of supply. With more vaccines coming online, it is imperative that we provide better access to vaccines for our vulnerable populations across the community, ”Perry said in a written statement.