Houston nurse in Group 1A still waiting for the COVID-19 vaccine while Texas expands eligibility for 1C

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – Texans who fall into group 1C, those aged 50 and over, can now get the COVID-19 vaccine. But there are people in group 1A who said they are still struggling to get their first dose.

SEE ALSO: Texas expands eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine

Jennifer Darosa loves to be a nurse. She works with a special group of patients.

“I work in a health care home. I work with immunocompromised pediatric patients, most of them with trachea and ventilators ”, said Darosa.

She takes great care, especially with COVID-19.

SEE ALSO: Texas eligibility expands, but health experts fear the impact of vaccine hesitation

“I’m more concerned with patients than myself. I mean, of course, I care about myself, but I take care. I keep my circle small, but it’s really about them,” she said.

But despite working with vulnerable patients, Darosa has still not been able to get the vaccine. She told ABC13 that she has been trying to get the vaccine since December.

“I think it’s crazy. I don’t understand,” said Darosa.

Darosa said he knows other health professionals who are dealing with the same thing – still waiting to be vaccinated. Darosa falls into group 1A, which was one of the first to be vaccinated and now people in 1C can get it.

SEE ALSO: What life could be like after the COVID-19 vaccine

“I don’t understand how 1A is not fully vaccinated, but we are going to open it up to more people. It doesn’t make sense to me, ”she said.

Stephen Williams is the director of the Houston Department of Health. He says that if someone in group 1A is having trouble getting the vaccine, they should contact them directly.

“We want to do the 1As. Certainly we also want to do the 1Bs. It is important. We know this is not a perfect process,” said Williams.

Williams went on to say that this is why the health department is there.

“As a health department, we act as a safety net, which covers connecting people to suppliers,” said Williams.

Fortunately, Darosa got an appointment and is due to receive her dose on March 20.

“I’m stoked. I’m super excited because I don’t want to be the reason anyone gets sick, ever. Especially patients who can’t recover,” said Darosa.

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