Gravell updated the Commissioners Court during a March 30 meeting, saying through expert advice from doctors at the Williamson County and Cities Health District, he believes about 80% of county residents over the age of 16 will want a vaccine. With that number in mind and at the current pace the county is receiving and administering vaccines, he believes all who want one will be vaccinated by early July.
This timeline hinges on current vaccine allocations the county is receiving, Gravell said.
“If we get more of the [Johnson & Johnson vaccines], that number is going to change. If we get more the first doses, that number could change [or] if we get less doses,” Gravell said. “We haven't seen the doses decrease, but we haven't seen them increase significantly.”
All vaccine providers within the county are scheduled to receive a total of 12,000 first doses and 20,000 second doses, Gravell said. This includes about 1,400 vaccines distributed to the WCCHD that were not listed on the Texas Department of State Health Services website, he said.
As of March 30, and with the goal of vaccinating 80% of the population, Gravell said about 38% of the vaccination goal has received at least one dose, and about 16% have been full vaccinated. He added for those over the age of 65, about 80% of the vaccination goal have received one shot with about 50% fully vaccinated.
Williamson County continues to help operate three vaccine hub sites, one organized by Family Hospital Systems at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex and two operated by Curative Medical Associates at the Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex and Dell Diamond in Round Rock. Individuals can sign up for the county waitlist here. Beginning March 29, all individuals age 16 and older are eligible for the vaccine.
Vaccines have not been approved for individuals younger than 16, but Gravell said if that was to change, he did not feel it was the county’s responsibility to host large vaccine hubs. Instead, he would defer the process to the local health district, pediatricians and school nurses.
“That doesn't mean that we won't backfill and support with firefighters or paramedics and help through schools,” Gravell said. “I do not believe it is our lane to get in a mama's lane with her child about vaccinating.”
