TEXARKANA, Texas - With no coronavirus vaccine allocated to it this week and more than 4,600 people in line to be inoculated, the city and Bowie County emergency officials on Tuesday suspended taking names for a vaccination waiting list.
When the state allocates more vaccine doses to the Texarkana-Bowie County Family Health Center, staff will contact those already on the list. The center vaccinated 600 people last week, according to a news release from the local emergency Joint Operations Center.
This week the state allocated 2,000 doses to Bowie County's vaccination hub at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System, and all appointments for these doses have been filled.
"Individuals may visit vaccinate.christushealth.org after 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 15 for updated information on vaccines," the release states.
Those who qualify to be vaccinated under Phase 1B of Texas' distribution plan should seek an appointment with multiple vaccinators at the same time and take the first available, Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Schlotter told the City Council during a COVID-19 briefing Monday.
Phase 1B includes people age 65 or older and anyone 16 or older who has a chronic medical condition that increases risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Schlotter said Texas residency will not be required for local vaccinations and he expects people from neighboring states to come to Texarkana for their shots.
"We're just getting shots in arms, and that's what matters," he said.