CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — There was an impressive number of people who received the COVID-19 Moderna vaccine at the fairgrounds today. City officials announced that 5,000 people were vaccinated during the nine hour clinic.
Homebound seniors also received the shot through the city's Save Our Seniors program. Corpus Christi firefighters were able to administer 108 vaccines to seniors across the city who are part of the Meals on Wheels program.
The city is still working on its plan to expand the clinics around town so that if the government begins to ship more vaccines, they’ll be ready to open up more mega vaccination sites around town at sites like the Greyhound Race Track, the Natatorium and the American Bank Center.
The next clinic is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 29, but keep in mind it's only only for people eligible for that second vaccine dose. Specifically, it's for those who received the first dose the week after Christmas. Those folks should be receiving a reminder text about the clinic.
“I wanna remind everyone that this particular clinic is going to be one clinic that is going to administer all 5,000 in that one day so all of those details are forthcoming but like I said we are anticipating receiving those 5,000 early this week,” said Guajardo.
Here’s what you need to know:
- All registration will be on site and staff will be on hand to assist individuals with registration. There will be no online pre-registration.
- The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will be testing our vaccination system for efficiency and to verify we can give all 5,000 doses during a one-day clinic.
- The Health District also will have more portable restrooms on site for residents and the site location with more informational signage.
- As wait times are expected, be mindful of medication(s) you may need while waiting.
- Residents are encouraged to bring something to keep them busy like books, puzzles, and snacks.
Mayor Guajardo says that an additional five hundred doses will be sent to Nueces County specifically for those received their first dose back on December 29.
Nueces County Public Health District says that those 500 doses also arrived Monday.
The second dose vaccination clinic is scheduled on Friday, January 29, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds, it will end at 7:00 p.m. that same day.
The clinic is for individuals who participated in the first dose mega vaccination drive thru clinic on Tuesday, December 29 at the fairgrounds.
Here's a look at the flow of traffic local officials are hoping people will follow when going to the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds. They are asking drivers to exit 69 and turn right on to county road 44, take another right on county road 1694, and another right on Texas Yes Boulevard will take drivers to the start of the clinic at the old Coastal Bend Aviators parking lot.
The Health District will notify these individuals by text message. Participants will need to bring their vaccination card with them. If you miss this second dose vaccination drive thru clinic, you can attend one of the Health District’s next second dose clinics.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) after the second vaccine dose:
- Side effects may be worse after the second dose.
- These side effects include:
- Redness at the site.
- Site feels hot and/or itches.
- Chills, extreme fatigue, nausea and even vomiting for some.
- Symptoms typically go away on their own within a week.
- If their symptoms do not go away or individuals are feeling worse, they should seek medical attention.
- These side effects are a sign that their immune system is working.
- The vaccine cannot give someone COVID-19.
The Health District is also working to get vaccinations to the elderly.
The Corpus Christi Fire Department is planning to use first responders to provide vaccinations to those who received City Senior Services.
The program would include those who attend City Senior Centers to pick up lunches and seniors who participate in the Meals on Wheels, the Senior Companion Program, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.
The City and Driscoll Children’s Hospital are planning a vaccination clinic at the American Bank Center for February. Both programs are subject to vaccine availability.
More vaccines are also arriving this week to other parts of the Coastal Bend:
According to the state health department, Bee County is in line for nearly 3,000 doses. The majority going to Christus Spohn Beeville.
The Christus Spohn system also getting about 1,000 for Alice and Kingsville as well.
The Kleberg County Sheriff's Office will receive 1,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine.
Altus Hospice in Corpus Christi will also be getting 100 doses of the Moderna vaccine.
For more information on the vaccine in the Coastal Bend, click here.
For the latest updates on coronavirus in the Coastal Bend, click here.
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