Houston Methodist CEO addresses frustrations with vaccine distribution

HOUSTON – The Houston Methodist is holding a clinic this weekend, but is only open to patients in the hospital system.

Similar “invite only” clinics have been set up by other hospitals in the Houston area, and this has led to allegations of injustice in the way the vaccine is being distributed.

“We understand,” said Dr. Marc Boom, CEO of Houston Methodist. “We understand why people are frustrated. Everyone wants to be vaccinated now. “

Boom said those 75 and older who were invited to attend the clinic this weekend represent people in all zip codes in Houston.

Boom said his hospital is working with four federally qualified health clinics to ensure they penetrate some of Houston’s most vulnerable and most affected areas. The goal, Boom said, is to reach more people from areas where there was a high percentage of COVID-19 cases and where most residents are uninsured.

“I think we are working very actively and purposefully to resolve these problems and to ensure that we put vaccines in people’s arms in an equitable and fair manner in our community as soon as possible,” said Boom. “We were selected by the state as a center because we put vaccines in the arms very quickly.”

According to Boom, Methodist administered 44,000 first doses and 13,000 second doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

Boom said he was optimistic that there would be a faster acceleration of the vaccine’s arrival in a few weeks.

You can watch the full Boom interview below.