Gov. Abbott Discusses COVID-19 Vaccine Hubs and Rollout in Texas

On Monday Gov. Greg Abbott toured the new Arlington vaccination site located at the Arlington Expo Center at 1200 Ballpark Way. The Governor provided an update on COVID-19 vaccine efforts happening in Texas.

The governor was  joined by Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt (MD), Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley and Texas Health Resources CEO Barclay E. Berdan. 

“The process used here in Arlington is being replicated across the state of Texas,” said Gov. Greg Abbott.

Abbott provided a snapshot of vaccine distribution so far.

“Never before has Texas vaccinated so many people so quickly,” said Gov. Greg Abbott.

Abbott explained that in three and half weeks the state has distributed 1.5 million doses to providers in Texas.

Of those, as of today, over 802,507 doses have been administered to Texans.

Of these, 83, 538 are second doses. 

Abbott also said that separate from these numbers and in addition, Texas has also provided 487,500 doses for nursing and long term care centers. CVS and Walgreens have been in charge in administering these doses.

Abbott announced that these numbers are changing on a daily basis as numbers flow in.

In Texas there are 28 vaccination hubs, which will receive most of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine doses.

At this time vaccine prioritization is currently for those who are health care workers, people who are 65 and older, and those with medical conditions that could increase their risk of illness and contracting the virus.

At the Arlington vaccination site vaccinations are by appointments only, no walk ups are allowed, and the Dallas county health department hopes to vaccinate 2,000 people each day. On Sunday Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said thousands of the county’s most vulnerable residents will be vaccinated at Fair Park this week, and there are over 100,000 people on the list to get vaccinated.

Texans have been concerned about the lack of clarity about the vaccine rollout.

Some doctors and experts believe that nationwide the vaccination rollout needs to speed up.