At a Feb. 11 news conference, representatives for the Texas Department of State Health Services said inclement weather could impact the scheduled delivery of vaccine allocations during the week of Feb. 15.
“We know that every time there are weather issues, it can disrupt the shipping supply line, so we do ask that providers keep that in mind as they are planning for next week’s shipments and appointments,” said Imelda Garcia, associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services.
Presidents Day on Feb. 15 could also result in delays, Garcia said.
Travis County is set to receive a total of 17,950 doses from the state this week, with the largest share going to regional hub provider Austin Public Health, which should receive 12,000. UT Health Austin, another hub provider, has been allotted 1,950 doses; 500 are headed to CommUnityCare’s East Austin location at 211 Comal St.; and 3,500 are headed to the DSHS Central Pharmacy Warehouse.
In Williamson County, regional hub Family Emergency Rooms Cedar Park is scheduled to receive 6,000 doses. The H-E-B Pharmacy at 2800 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park, will get 100, and Curative Medical Associates PA at 1608 Royston Lane, Round Rock, will receive 2,000. Additionally the Williamson County and Cities Health District locations in Cedar Park, Georgetown, Round Rock and Taylor will get 400 doses apiece.
Texas is still in Phase 1B of distribution, administering doses to people over the age of 65, with high-risk health conditions, with a front-line health care role or who live in long-term care facilities.
Health officials from both counties have also indicated changes to vaccine scheduling since severe winter weather conditions began late last week.
Austin Public Health canceled vaccine clinics scheduled for Feb. 13 due to “inclement weather and icy road conditions” and said in social media posts that it would reach out to reschedule those appointments this week. COVID-19 testing and vaccine appointments were later canceled through Feb. 16.
“Operations will resume when weather permits,” a Feb. 16 tweet from APH said.
While Williamson County’s regional vaccination hub Family Hospital System originally planned to hold vaccination clinics on Feb. 16, 17 and 18, those clinics have been rescheduled for Feb. 19 and 20 at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex.
