Priority COVID-19 vaccinations begin in Lakeway, Bee Cave region

The Baylor, Scott & White Lakeway Medical Center reported Dec. 30 it has received a shipment of Moderna coronavirus vaccines, and staff has begun vaccinating its frontline healthcare workers to help protect against COVID-19.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, other locations in the Lakeway and Bee Cave area now have doses of the vaccinations including: The HEB pharmacy at 12400 Hwy. 71, the HEB pharmacy at 2000 RR 620 and the Austin Regional Clinic at 15801 W. Hwy. 71.

These locations currently are administering doses per guidelines provided by Texas DSHS. Those guidelines state that healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities have top priority, or phase 1A status, for receiving a vaccination. Next in line, part of Phase 1B, are those 65 years of age or older and those 16 years old or older and have a chronic medical condition that puts them at risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

As of Dec. 31, the Texas DSHS reports that Travis County has received 37,275 doses of COVID vaccines, with 10,256 people receiving at least one dose.

In a Dec. 30 online press conference, Dr. Mark Escott, interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority, said those numbers have not kept up with what's happening in Travis County.

"I'll tell you the state's reporting data on vaccinations is way off," he said. "There's a data lag in the reporting."

The state reports that there are nearly 81,000 people in Travis County that qualify for 1A priority status.

Because the number of doses is limited, the state website goes on to explain that people should call a pharmacy or health care provider to ensure availability. The supply for vaccinations is expected to increase with time. The general public should have access to the vaccine in spring 2021, according to Texas DSHS.