AUSTIN (KXAN) – Texas health authorities are giving local pharmacies permission to vaccinate those vaccinated in Phase 1B for COVID-19 while Phase 1A is still ongoing. However, many pharmacies say they are not ready or ready to vaccinate those in phase 1B just yet. Supply is still limited for many, and providers want to make sure they can fully vaccinate each stage before moving on to the next.
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On Tuesday, Texas Department of Health Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt made the following statement to local vendors with deliveries of the COVID-19 vaccine:
“All vendors who have received a COVID-19 vaccine must immediately vaccinate healthcare workers, Texans over 65, and people with conditions that are at higher risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19. No vaccine should be kept in reserve. “
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DSHS reported that vaccine supplies are still limited, but more shipments are being made to providers every week.
While Phase 1A of COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Texas includes frontline workers and healthcare workers, plus some first responders, funeral directors, and school nurses, Phase 1B includes people over 65 and those with certain medical conditions.
Tarrytown Pharmacy pharmacists say their phones have been ringing non-stop since the DSHS announcement Tuesday.
“We get so many calls about it. We were all on deck, ”said Rannon Ching, the pharmacist in charge in Tarrytown. “We’re going to use every dose as quickly as possible, and we did.”
In Tarrytown, over 500 doses were given in three days. Ching says he hears DSHS loud and clear, but it all depends on the logistics.
“When a dose is available, we want to put it in the hands of patients, regardless of whether they are 1A or 1B,” Ching said.
Currently, the vaccine is only available by appointment in Tarrytown. Ching says there are still plenty of health care providers on the list, and that’s an echo of HEB pharmacies.
“I think HEB will continue to follow the spirit of the guidelines, which in turn will result in healthcare providers being vaccinated first,” said Lauren Clark, HEB pharmacist.
Clark says if there is a dose available that cannot be filled by someone in Phase 1A at this point, he will switch to someone in Phase 1B.
HEB also posted a statement on Twitter on Wednesday: “There is some confusion due to updates from the TX Dept of State Health Services. While some providers may offer it to those in 1B, we are not at this stage yet as we are still receiving shipments. At this point, we will continue to offer vaccines to the healthcare workers group. “
Originally, DSHS said that the vaccinations for Phase 1B would not start for weeks as the state worked to vaccinate the vaccinations for Phase 1A. According to DSHS, an estimated 1.9 million people live in Phase 1A.
“I would say this will be a marathon, not a sprint. I think it’s gong to be like this for everyone, ”said Clark. “Rest assured that HEB pharmacists are as excited to give this vaccine as people are excited to receive it.”
Ascension Seton announced to KXAN on Wednesday that it has vaccinated more than 10,000 nurses, support workers and frontline providers and will continue to focus on vaccinating these groups. It said it would expand to the community, including those in Group 1B, “in the coming weeks when vaccine supplies allow”. It said it will make an announcement when it moves on to the next stage of vaccination.
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St. David’s also released a statement Wednesday stating, “Although we recognize that the state has allowed adults over the age of 65 and those with certain chronic conditions over the age of 16 to receive the COVID-19 vaccine our current vaccine supply only provided vaccinations to our staff and doctors at that time. “
Find a local COVID-19 vaccine provider
The state has created an online map of local vaccine providers across Texas. While the card is available, DSHS would like to remind you to call ahead to see if the pharmacy or clinic is currently being distributed to priority groups.
Some pharmacies like HEB require an appointment for COVID-19 vaccinations. The company said in a statement to KXAN that walk-ins are not accepted.
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