Minute Maid Park was teeming with energy on Saturday, with residents waiting in lines and pushing loved ones in wheelchairs into the stadium. But the main attraction was not baseball – it was the COVID-19 vaccines.
“I hope it doesn’t hurt so much,” Stan Shniderson, 83, told Mayor Sylvester Turner moments before receiving his vaccine.
“Oh, it doesn’t hurt at all!” said Turner, who received his vaccine last week.
The city has partnered with the Astros organization to turn the stadium into a location to provide the Modern vaccine to up to 3,600 health professionals, residents aged 65 and over and patients with underlying medical conditions. The vaccine distribution was transferred from the Bayou City Event Center, which was needed for a different event, giving the city a preview of how the stadium would function as a mega site when it officially opens next week.
Divided into three sections, the lower level of the stadium was reserved for the elderly and people with mobility difficulties. Volunteers first took participants to a section to fill out additional vaccine paperwork, then to a waiting area and official vaccination posts, and finally to an observation area, where health professionals watched for any adverse reactions or allergic for at least 15 minutes.
According to many who were inoculated, the process was straightforward, almost painless and a hopeful step towards normality.
“It’s like the flu shot,” said Rod Miller, who noted that he had a medical condition and described himself as middle-aged. “It is something you have to do. It is not just a civic duty. It is to protect family and friends – it is the responsible thing to do. “
Gwendolyn McAfee, 22, who recently graduated from Prairie View A&M University, said that with her disdain for needles and uncertainty about the effects of the vaccine, she was restless. But while sitting in the observation area, unharmed, McAfee said he was happy to have done so.
“Many people my age don’t like the vaccine … but I thought it could be an example for my colleagues, especially in the age of social media. It’s the best way to stay safe, ”said McAfee.
Shniderson, whose wife died in July, said it was difficult to stay home alone during the pandemic. The vaccine can offer some semblance of security as he tries to get together safely with some friends and run errands while COVID remains.
Still, “there are a lot of ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ about it. I don’t know if it will work or not, ”said Schniderson, who survived the polio epidemic in Texas in the early 1950s, but is optimistic.
Unexpected delivery
Turner, who visited the site, greeting residents with punches and elbows and encouraging volunteers and essential workers, said Minute Maid Park is the largest vaccination site the city has ever hosted – inoculating 350 people an hour and tripling the total number of vaccinations. people vaccinated last Saturday at the Bayou City Event Center.
US deputy Sheila Jackson Lee, who attended an afternoon news conference at the stadium, said it is also the first mega-site model in the country, which could serve as an example for other large cities that are also looking to establish similar sites.
The result, however, was more than Turner and health officials initially expected.
The city had about 1,000 doses of the vaccine by Thursday and decided to cut vaccinations for the weekend, when delivery was not received, but on Friday morning, the city unexpectedly received 2,600 additional vaccines, said Turner. The city and the Houston Department of Health quickly changed gears, making appointments with people who had pre-registered to ensure that the vaccine was distributed and not thrown on the shelves. They also opened the register, receiving 1,000 additional candidates in 20 minutes, said Turner.
Marcel Braithwaite, senior vice president of business operations for Astros, said that preparation for the stadium had already started earlier in the week and officials were confident in the infrastructure.
“It was more about the logistical flow” and ensuring that there was enough physical space inside the building to allow social distance in waiting areas and immunization units, said Braithwaite.
As a result of the early boarding, Lesley Fox, 56, from Harris County, said his appointment with the vaccine – originally scheduled for late January – was rescheduled for Saturday morning. She was impressed with the organization of the process and the friendliness of many of the volunteers and essential workers at the stadium that day, Fox said, wearing a Buc-ee mask.
“I thought it would be chaos,” said Fox, who volunteers for the Houston Livestock and Rodeo Show and works for United Airlines. She is looking forward to returning to a normal life, she said.
“I want to see my mom. I’m in front of people and I don’t want to stop it, “said Fox.” I want to get back to normal and, if that will help, so be it. “
Stay vigilant
Despite Saturday’s success at the site, Turner said he and city health officials are still not satisfied with the level of vaccine distribution.
“We hope things will increase very quickly,” he said, adding that “certainty about when vaccines will arrive and how much” can be expected will help the city to better meet demand.
Houston Department of Health Director Stephen L. Williams added that the city plans to operate at least two mega vaccination sites – one on the north side and one in the south of Houston. The city will also create a mobile site that will distribute vaccines in the city’s neighborhoods and collaborate with health centers and pharmacies to ensure coverage across the city. Williams added that the number of people vaccinated will depend on how many vaccines are delivered and that part of the next vaccine shipment will be prioritized for nursing homes.
“It will become more reliable over time and as the vaccine becomes more available,” said Williams.
Although vaccine distribution is increasing, Williams and Turner advised residents to be aware of mask use, social distance and hygiene.
“We are still fighting the virus. There is still a lot of community spread, ”said Turner. “And I want to emphasize the importance of testing, testing, testing.”