Houston woman receives second dose of COVID-19 vaccine after tweeting Mayor Sylvester Turner

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – As more Houston residents begin to receive their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the date provided on the vaccination card for the second dose may not be when they receive it.

At the moment, thousands of people a day are getting their COVID-19 vaccine in various locations in Houston. It’s a photo that Kimberly Mannino told ABC13 that she was thrilled to get.

“I felt like I won the lottery,” recalled Mannino.

SEE ALSO: Texas launches registration for the COVID-19 vaccine schedule as eligibility expands to 22 million adults

Mannino, who is part of the second eligible group, said it took three months to receive the first dose. She received her first dose last month at the Delmar Stadium, where she received a card with the date of the second dose. But when she contacted the Houston Department of Health, she was informed that there was no appointment.

“I thought it was a slap in the face because I followed all the rules,” recalled Mannino. “Besides work, because I’m an essential worker, and from the warehouse, I don’t leave home.”

Feeling frustrated, Mannino went to social media and sent a tweet to Mayor Sylvester Turner to help resolve the situation. The next thing she knew, she received a phone call and an appointment for a second dose this week.

SEE ALSO: County by county breakdown in COVID-19 vaccine distributions

“I don’t think I understand all this bureaucracy if it is exactly the same vaccine,” said Mannino.

The health department said the date of the second dose on the card may not be when you take the injection. Instead of 21 or 28 days later, it could be 42. The CDC said that as long as you receive a second dose in 42 days, the vaccine is still effective.

The city of Houston has said it will reach more than 48 hours before its scheduled appointment for the second dose. A spokesman said that even with increased eligibility for all Texas adults, there are enough injections available for those who need one – it may not be as fast as you would like.

If you do not receive a text message or email, or miss your second appointment, you can call 832-393-5190 or send an email to [email protected].

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