DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – The City of Dallas and Dallas County opened their first mega public COVID-19 vaccination site at Fair Park on Monday.
Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) estimates up to 2,000 people will be vaccinated by appointment each day.
“This is a huge step forward in our city’s fight against COVID-19,” said Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson. “Vaccines are our way out of this pandemic, and I want to see as many people as possible inoculated against this awful virus that has claimed too many lives and livelihoods. While availability remains limited right now, this partnership will help us move expeditiously to distribute these immunizations equitably and vaccinate our most vulnerable residents.”
The mega vaccination site will be open Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., pending vaccine availability. Vaccinations will be available by appointment only. People who wish to receive the vaccine through DCHHS must register online at https://www.dallascounty.org/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination.php. Residents will receive a confirmation email notifying them that they have successfully pre-registered and of next steps.
“We will get thousands of our most vulnerable residents vaccinated at Fair Park this next week with well over 100,000 people on the list, the list growing daily, and the State giving us enough vaccines to vaccinate six to seven thousand people this week. We obviously won’t get to everyone, so I appreciate your patience and grace as we work through the task of mass vaccination for North Texas,” said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. “January and February will be our toughest months for COVID-19 spread and hospitalizations but if our residents will continue to follow the advice sent out by doctors to avoid crowds, wash hands, and wear a mask, and if we are successful in vaccinating a large amount of our population things will get brighter in March and with its successive months. If we all work together, we will defeat COVID this year and return to our pre-COVID activities.”
Currently, only residents in north Texas in Phase 1A or Phase 1B, as defined by the Texas Department of State Health Services, can register at this time. As additional supply of the vaccine becomes available, DCHHS will open up the registration form to additional groups, as directed by the state.
“DCHHS is actively working to ensure the COVID-19 vaccine is distributed throughout our community,” said Director of Dallas County Health and Human Services Dr. Philip Huang. “This Fair Park site is a great start to our accomplishing that goal. As additional vaccine becomes available, we are all hoping to be able to expand the groups that are able to receive vaccine and ultimately get it to the general public.”
To adhere with health and safety protocols, those with an appointment are asked to arrive to the mega-center alone. Residents receiving a vaccination should be prepared to wait for a mandatory period of 15 to 30 minutes after the vaccination in order to be observed for any adverse medical reaction.
“With over 100,000 residents registered and many more in need of vaccination, this partnership with the county is fundamental to return to some sense of normalcy,” said Office of Emergency Management Director Rocky Vaz. “The mega vaccination site is one way for our residents to get vaccinated and begin turning the corner on the pandemic.”
City of Dallas residents may visit dallascityhall.com/covid19 or call 214.670.INFO (4636) to get current information about COVID-19.
Listen to Clayton Neville’s story below:
Copyright 2021. WBAP/KLIF News. All Rights Reserved.
