The Houston Department of Health said it was experiencing technical problems on Saturday morning, while people seeking an appointment for the city’s first COVID-19 vaccination clinic – which had 750 doses available for the day – filled the call center, the authorities said.
“The volume of calls to our COVID19 call center has overloaded the system and it is experiencing technical problems,” the department tweeted about an hour after the phone lines were opened. “We are actively working to resolve this issue and will provide an update as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
Mayor Sylvester Turner said the health department will switch to on-site registration. Traffic management is being implemented. People who qualify for a vaccine and are interested in getting it should go to the Bayou City Event Center, 9401 Knight Road, to receive an appointment.
Long line of cars going up and down the block outside the Bayou City Event Center, where people are trying to get a COVID vaccine. Previously, the health department’s call center crashed due to high volume. There are only 750 doses for high-risk groups today. pic.twitter.com/fCVkAG1hV1
– Anna Bauman (@ abauman2) January 2, 2021
The health department and Turner announced on Friday that the city would open its first free vaccination clinic on Saturday to expand access to residents at high risk of serious health consequences of the disease, including the elderly.
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The city instructed the population to call the COVID-19 call center at the health department at 832-393-4220 between 7:30 am and 4:00 pm on Saturday to obtain the location and opening hours.
An hour after the phone lines were opened, however, the system was overloaded and the phone line hung.
“If the problem cannot be resolved within the next 30 minutes, we will go to an alternative plan and inform you. Please be patient, ”said Turner.
People should monitor social media for updates, city officials said.
The clinic will offer a dose of the Moderna vaccine to people over 65, those with at least one chronic medical condition and frontline health professionals.
The health department said it would announce more opportunities for free vaccination “as the supply increases.” The department received its first 3,000 doses and began administering them on December 28, city officials said.
Update: the call center is back up and running for scheduling appointments. The clinic will likely allow about 160 more cars to enter before closing the queue, according to city officials, but all appointments will be met.
– Anna Bauman (@ abauman2) January 2, 2021