The Dallas County Health Department opened a new registration site for medical workers and others at risk on Saturday to participate in the first rounds of distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“As more vaccines become available, we will work on the registration list and determine eligibility,” said Dr. Phillip Huang, director of Dallas County Human Services and Health, in a statement prepared by county officials on Saturday. “We look forward to receiving additional funds from the state soon so that we can continue to work with our partners and start meeting the needs of our community and turning the corner in the fight against this virus.”
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/dmn/GGYMWCCZ5FHMLAU6CDIPBVYCUI.jpg?resize=380%2C285&ssl=1)
People in phases 1A and 1B, as defined by the Texas Department of Health Services, can access the Internet to pre-screen for a DCHHS vaccine as soon as it is available. Other providers in the county may determine eligibility for vaccination by other means.
Phase 1A includes health professionals and residents of long-term care facilities. Phase 1B includes people over 65 and those with underlying health problems. The county registration process is open only to people in these categories.
To register, residents can access dallascounty.org/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination.php. Registrants will be notified of the next steps as soon as the vaccine becomes available.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/dmn/UXUJN6LSQ5DPDG7Q34TZMLTT3U.jpg?resize=380%2C285&ssl=1)
“At the moment, we don’t have a vaccine left, but we expect more from the state soon,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in the prepared statement. “We still have people in phase 1A who should receive the vaccine, even when we start phase 1B.
“Currently, this DCHHS website will enroll only Dallas County residents, and priority within 1B will be given to those with the highest vulnerability scores until more vaccine is available. In the meantime, we are working with the DFW Hospital Council and others to increase fair and rapid vaccination across the county. “