ABILENE, TX– The Abilene/Taylor County Public Health District will no longer allow walk-ins for Thursday’s vaccination hub.
Earlier in the day, the Health District had asked the public who are on the vaccine waiting list, to call and set an appointment for Thursday’s vaccination hub. However, the appointments have been filled.
Annette Lerma Director of the Abilene/Taylor County Health District said that since Thursday’s vaccination hub will be a day earlier, the Health District did not have enough time to schedule enough appointments to deliver the vaccines allocated for tomorrow.
This initially allowed them to have an additional ‘unscheduled line.’
However, due to an influx of calls to set appointments, the Health District will no longer accept walk-ins.
“As of 3:15 this afternoon, the Health District has the majority of appointments for the 2/4/21 COVID vaccine clinic filled, and staff anticipates being able to fill the remaining appointments by the end of the day,” said Health Director Annette Lerma. “There is currently no need or plan for a walk-up vaccination line at the 2/4/21 clinic.“
The vaccination hub is set to begin at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow.
Texas received 525,000 first dose vaccines this week, these went out to 344 Texas providers, including 82 hubs. The increase in the doses of the vaccines was due to a 30% increase in the availability of Moderna vaccines, as well as unused Phizer doses. This week Abilene was allocated 1,460 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
According to Health Director Lerma, they are expecting 1600 doses for Abilene next week, and an additional number of 2,925 according to the state. A total of almost 3500 doses for next week’s hubs.
Additionally, the Health District has begun to change procedures for efficiency; They’re now leaving a message to people who do not answer the phone call regarding their vaccination appointment and leaving a direct call number, so they can reach out.
Transportation to the vaccine hub
Transportation Services Director Don Green said CityLink is offering free rides from homes and businesses to the vaccine site. This will only be available to people within the people in the city limits.
To schedule a ride to the vaccination hub people will need to call CityLink at 325-676-6287 and select ‘option 2’ to talk to the operator and schedule that ride. He added that after the patient receives the vaccine, they will need to wait 15 to 20 minutes.
“…The van will stay until the person waits the time frame for the vaccination,” said Don Green. “It will be continuous, if the van leaves, call CityLink again and the van will return.
