The Texas Health District is delaying the administration of COVID-19 vaccine doses until after Christmas

The Williamson County and Cities Health District received 900 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday and then closed its offices for Christmas.

District officials said on Thursday that the vaccine arrived earlier than planned and that it was impossible to accelerate plans to administer vaccines from Saturday. But the move was harshly reprimanded from local leaders, who felt health officials were denying their duties by not immediately administering doses of the vaccine.

“We actually have the tool in our toolbox and we’re holding on to it,” said Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell. He criticized district officials for taking time off while emergency responders continued to work in the suburban province of Central Texas, home of Round Rock.

“I am just deeply disappointed,” he added.

Gravell said he urged the health district to immediately administer the vaccine to those eligible, including primary care workers and first responders. But neighborhood clinics will not open again until Saturday.

Deb Strahler, spokesman for the health district, said the district was told Tuesday night that a shipment of vaccine doses would not arrive on Wednesday, so the team was surprised when it did. The planning efforts were completed on Tuesday and will include four consecutive days of vaccinations starting at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, she said.

“We felt it was important to be consistent and not create last-minute changes that would cause potential chaos, reduce attendance and increase the likelihood of wasted vaccine doses, which should be administered within six hours of opening a vial,” said Strahler.

Strahler defended the district’s decision to close for the holiday.

“Our vaccination activities are based on shift switching times that worked best for partner agencies, and our staff will continue to work during the holiday weekend during their normally scheduled time off,” she said.

Texas health officials reserved the first doses of the vaccine for primary care health workers and residents and long-term care staff.

The health district said it will vaccinate firefighters who provide emergency services such as preclinical care, last-responders who provide services to those with COVID-19, and school nurses who care for students and teachers.

Doses of the COVID-19 vaccine first arrived in Texas last week, marking a historic milestone in the fight against the coronavirus, even if the state is fighting a wave of new cases and hospitalizations ahead of the holidays.

The monumental task of administering vaccines to anyone who wants one can take six to nine months.

Dr. John Hellerstedt, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, earlier this week urged vaccine providers to act “with a sense of urgency” when vaccinating those who are willing and eligible.

“The purpose of this letter is to reiterate that we are directing all entities to whom the vaccine has been assigned to administer their entire assignment with all willful speed,” Hellerstedt wrote. “Be aware that more vaccine will be administered in the coming days, weeks and months. Now is the time to vaccinate willing individuals. “