The number of Texans receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is increasing by the thousands every day, but this comes with frustrations and long waiting times for some.
Tarrant County is processing approximately 160 people every hour at a clinic that is operating close to the interchange of Interstate 35W with Interstate 20.
NBC5 heard from viewers who waited up to four hours in line on Monday for the vaccine and others, who despite making an appointment, received a “rain test” and asked to come back the next day.
Those waiting in Tarrant County are expected to register via the county website and receive an appointment time, but Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley said some people were just showing up to get an hourly vaccine marked, which generated longer lines and confusion.
The first people to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are expected to receive second doses this week, while other eligible North Texans continue to line up for their turn. Ben Russell of NBC 5 explains the latest.
Whitley said the county is working to make the process easier for everyone and is currently reviewing other possible clinic locations.
“People found out that we were giving vaccines to those in 1B and it was opened and they just ran madly where they could find the vaccine being given,” said Whitley.
Tarrant County Public Health spokesman Brian Murnahan said that anyone unable to stand for long periods can notify staff at the front of the line and steps will be taken.
As of Monday, more than 100,000 people have applied to be vaccinated in Tarrant County.
Whitley expected 1,600 people to be vaccinated on Monday and another 1,500 on Tuesday, with more vaccine shipments on the way.
Although Tarrant County was able to vaccinate more people than neighboring counties, not all public health departments have the same capacity.
A Dallas county spokesman said they still have enough vaccines to prioritize early respondents, but are expecting a shipment of vaccines from the state this week. As of Monday morning, some 37,000 people pre-registered on the Dallas County website to receive the vaccine as soon as it becomes available.
Denton County Public Health vaccinated about 450 people during a drive-thru clinic on Monday morning, but the record is closed because vaccines are out of vaccines.
County health departments emphasize that only people who fall into the official Phase 1A or Phase 1B category, according to the criteria established by the State of Texas, are eligible to receive the vaccine.
People who fall into the Phase 1A category include medical professionals and people who live or work in long-term care institutions.
People who fall into the Phase 1B category include anyone who is at least 65 years old or anyone who is at least 16 years old and living with any of the various chronic health conditions that make them more susceptible to COVID-19.
Also on Monday, some of the first health professionals who received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are receiving their second and final dose.
As of 7 am on Monday, Methodist Dallas medical professionals were scheduled to receive the second dose of the vaccine, exactly three weeks after receiving the first dose.
* Map locations are approximate, central locations in the city and are not intended to indicate where the really infected people live.
** County totals below include all 32 northern Texas counties, not just Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant.