Extended group receives first doses of COVID-19 vaccine
People age 65 and older or those with a medical condition that puts them at greater risk for serious illnesses due to COVID-19 are now eligible to receive a vaccine in North Texas.
ARLINGTON, Texas – Hundreds of people who make up the most vulnerable population in Tarrant County wasted no time on Wednesday to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
In the past few weeks, vaccines have been distributed to frontline health workers in northern Texas, along with some first responders.
Now, with Phase 1B, the eligibility pool in Texas has been expanded to people aged 65 and over and those aged at least 16 who have a medical condition that puts them at greater risk of serious illness due to COVID-19.
Some of these underlying health conditions include cancer, severe heart disease, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, sickle cell disease, solid organ transplantation and pregnancy.
LINK: Who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas
Rain and cold did not stop people like Jerry Frazier and Claudine Orsetti from waiting in line at Esports Stadium and Expo Center in Arlington.
“I’m smiling under this mask. You can’t see it,” said Frazier.
“When we hear the news and see people dying, it’s scary and we want protection for ourselves,” said Orsetti.
But the supply remains extremely limited. Texas promised 1.4 million doses for December, and with the month ending, less than 50% of that stock was recorded as received.
In Tarrant County, there are several ways to obtain the vaccine.
The Arlington Fire Department is shooting at Esports Stadium. Until your 3,000 doses of Moderna are exhausted, you will be the first to arrive, first served to those who are eligible.
“It’s a terrible virus. I understand the enthusiasm and happiness of our older citizens,” said Chief Don Crowson of Arlington FD.
Tarrant County has vaccination records on its website. From there, people receive a clinic. But it may take a day or more to make an appointment.
LINK: Where to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas
The JPS Health Network is also distributing the COVID-19 vaccine to those who are eligible, but only to their current patients by appointment.
“We’re all in this together. Take this and we can get this over with. Tray and get this under control,” said Garry Anderson, an elderly citizen in North Texas who was shot on Wednesday.
“We have no doubts. We want the vaccine and we are here,” added Orsetti.
They were eager to receive the vaccine, but aware that it is not the end of the pandemic.
“I’m still going to wash my hands. I’m still going to wear my mask and take care of the distance,” said Frazier.
“It will still give me a layer of protection, not total. I will still wear a mask and distance myself socially as best as I can,” said Carol Anderson.
Pregnant women included in the expanded group eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine
The expanded group of people now allowed to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Texas includes pregnant women. But some have reservations. Dr. Shannon Clark is a high-risk pregnancy specialist at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She tells Good Day about how the vaccine can affect pregnant and lactating mothers.
LINK: Coronavirus continued coverage for northern Texas