By Ashley Moss
Staff Writer
The State of Texas has provided the City of Dallas with 5,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed in an appointment-based drive-up format to eligible area residents. Mayor Johnson, the City of Dallas Emergency Management Director under state law and city code, had requested in recent weeks for state officials to allow the City to directly distribute vaccine doses.
“The mayor, city staff and our elected officials advocated to be a direct vaccine provider [in the City of Dallas]” said Rocky Vaz, who serves as Director of Emergency Management for the City of Dallas. “Late last week we were informed that our (initial) request was granted, for 5,000 doses,” he added.
Public distribution will begin Thursday [January 28th] at the Bailey Hutchison Convention Center at 650 S Griffin St in Dallas. The convention center was previously used to give out 2,000 doses of the vaccine to Dallas police and firefighters in December. The Office of Emergency Management plans to make the site available between 10 am and 7 pm on weekdays, and possibly Saturday, depending on availability.
The names of eligible residents will be pulled from the existing Dallas County Health and Human Services registration database. The eligible residents will then be contacted by the City of Dallas beginning Wednesday to schedule an appointment time at the convention center.
Vaz said all 5,000 doses will be allocated for the first round of shots (two rounds are required) and will be administered by Dallas Fire-Rescue paramedics. Following the first dose, vaccine participants will also be given information on how to get the second shot.
Currently, the City is also partnered with Dallas County to distribute the county’s doses at Fair Park.
“I am excited and ready to get these highly effective, life-saving vaccines to the public,” Mayor Johnson said previously in a statement. “As I have said, the City of Dallas is ready to help the state take its vaccination efforts to the next level. We will do so equitably, efficiently, and without political influence.”
Only residents in north Texas in Phase 1A or Phase 1B are currently eligible to register at this time. As more doses of the vaccine become available, DCHHS will open up the registration form to additional groups, as directed by the state.
City of Dallas residents may visit dallascityhall.com/covid19 or call 214-670-INFO (4636) to get current information about COVID-19. To register for an appointment, click here or call 469-749-9900 during business hours for assistance.
