Dallas opens ‘mega’ COVID vaccination site for anxious North Texans, ready to see their families

Dallas opens ‘mega’ COVID vaccination site for anxious North Texans, ready to see their families

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This is a developing story and will be updated.

A World War II survivor, a retired commercial airline pilot and a hotel cleaning manager were among the first northern Texans to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at Dallas County’s first mega inoculation site on Monday .

The Fair Park website, a partnership between the city and Dallas County, aims to vaccinate up to 2,000 people a day, depending on the offer. The site opened while the state shifted its focus from smaller distribution sites to “centers” that can vaccinate thousands a day.

The site is open to anyone in northern Texas. But people must apply online to get the vaccine, which is still limited. On Monday, people received the first of two doses needed for the vaccine to be effective against the coronavirus.

In Texas, frontline health workers, people over 65 or who have serious health problems are eligible for vaccination. However, an irregular launch left Texans confused and desperate to find a chance. Several people in the Fair Park queue reported that they signed up at several different pharmacies and agencies.

“This is really the final fight in the COVID-19 battle,” said Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, who was at the scene.

Hundreds of people lined up in the cold wrapped in winter coats and wrapped in blankets on Monday outside the Torre Building, where they received the vaccine and were monitored for allergic reactions. They wore masks and face shields. They said the shot didn’t hurt.

Davis Mosmeyer, 69, was one of the first people in the queue. He said he hopes to be vaccinated to insure his fourth grandchild, who is due in March.

“It is a blessing,” he said. “I just want to be around when my daughter’s second baby is born.”

Fair Park was chosen as the county’s first vaccination site after several city council members were concerned about the scarcity of vaccine distribution points below Interstate 30, where the most vulnerable residents of Dallas tend to live. Creating equitable access to the vaccine is one of the site’s top priorities, officials said.

A large part of today’s shootings were aimed at people over 75, said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. Dallas County was unable to immediately provide demographic information for individuals who had appointments scheduled for Monday.

People wait in a long line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Fair Park on Monday, January 11, 2021, in Dallas. Dallas County launched its first public “mega” COVID-19 vaccination site on Monday in Fair Park.

1/15People wait in a long line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Fair Park on Monday, January 11, 2021, in Dallas. Dallas County launched its first public “mega” COVID-19 vaccination site on Monday in Fair Park.(Smiley N. Pool / Team photographer)

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