Harris County Public Health and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo held a press conference to announce their launch of a new COVID-19 vaccination portal that will allow residents to be placed on a waitlist and will be contacted once vaccines/appointments are available. Officials said the system will not use a first-come, first-served process for allocating vaccines, but will prioritize the most vulnerable.
County Judge Lina Hidalgo
- Getting a vaccine should not be about who can be the first there or who can get to the front of the line first
- Harris County Public Health is pushing for vaccine distribution efficiency, but also with fairness and equity
- Harris County Public Health has administered vaccines through known providers and to frontline workers who qualify under 1A and 1B
- Since December, Harris County Public Health has administered 27,426 vaccines
- Have gone from distributing 3,000 a week to 9,000 this past week
- In anticipation for more arrival of vaccine, took action to create this vaccination portal
- Portal will open on Tuesday, January 26 for all residents who want a vaccine; will also be able to register via phone
- To ensure equitable distribution, registrants will not be served on a first come first served basis
- Individuals will be selected through a prioritization and randomization system
- Only those who fall under 1A and 1B will receive a vaccine at this time; those who do not currently qualify for the vaccine can register, and will be contacted when vaccines are available to other groups
- This does not mean we have received a larger supply; reiterates they are receiving about 9,000 a week
Interim Local Health Authority Dr. Sherri Onyiego
- Harris County Public Health has confirmed 297,000 COVID-19 cases
- Currently have close 50,000 active positive cases; approximately 2,800 have died
- Only have so many prevention resources; still need to wear our mask and watch our distance
- This portal is a tool to make the vaccine available to the community
- Also launched a COVID-19 data hub that shows where the area’s COVID-19 data is currently at and have launched a vaccine distribution dashboard
Q: Will receive an email, will need to reply?
- Hidalgo – For online, they will register and then receive a confirmation email
- Hidalgo – Once someone has been selected, they will receive another email that will give them a QR code that will allow them to register for ta time and a date
- Hidalgo – Without a code, will be turned away
- Hidalgo – By phone, once they are selected, they will be given another phone call
Q: If it is randomized, how do you guarantee equitable access?
- Hidalgo – There is equity of registration, within the randomization
- Hidalgo – 1A will have priority over 1B, and those who are older will be prioritized over those who are younger
- Hidalgo – Geographic equity, currently have 2 sites, working on having 6 sites; those new sites will be placed in areas of vulnerability and are working on establishing roving sites
Q: Does everyone qualify to register for the vaccine?
- Hidalgo – Everyone in the community can register when it opens
Q: What is done with the vials that are left?
- Hidalgo – Once the vial is opened, it will expire within hours; so will pass remaining amount around
- Hidalgo – Will be given to public health workers or police officers those who qualify under 1A and 1B
- Hidalgo – Working on a standby list; want to avoid have people loitering around the lot waiting to see if any vaccine will be leftover
Q: Exact amount that has been lost?
- Hidalgo – 25 does have been lost; 20 have broken and 5 there was no one to give them to
- Hidalgo – This was out of 30,000 vaccines that have been distributed
Q: Can you comment Charges against Dr. Hasan Gokal dropped?
- Hidalgo – Not at liberty to comment; have a policy to prevent waste/fraud/abuse
- Onyiego – No longer an employee; our focus is ensuring we are getting the vaccines into the community