Gov. Abbott Tours Arlington COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Site; Announces Updates on the State’s Fight Against the Coronavirus
By Susan Schrock, Office of Communication
Posted on January 11, 2021, January 11, 2021

Gov. Greg Abbott provided a series of updates on the state’s ongoing fight against the coronavirus Monday during a tour of the Arlington Fire Department’s COVID-19 mass vaccination site.

Gov. Abbott opened the news conference by praising the efficiency and customer service evident at the Arlington vaccination site, which opened Dec. 28 and has the ability to vaccinate up to 2,000 people a day. By the end of this week, an additional 28 mass vaccine sites similar to Arlington’s will be operational in 18 Texas counties, making it easier for people to receive the vaccine, Gov. Abbott announced.

"The Lone Star State's mission is to use the resources and tools we have to get more shots in arms and keep Texans safe," Gov. Abbott said. "This successful facility serves as a model to open up to 28 similar sites across the state. These vaccination hubs will expedite vaccine distribution and ensure efficiency in communities across the state. While vaccines are an important step in the long-term fight against the virus, I encourage Texans to continue to follow the best practices to keep yourself and loved ones safe like wearing a mask and practicing social distancing."

So far, more than 1.5 million vaccine doses have been delivered to providers throughout Texas. Texas has already administered 802,507 doses that have been successfully reported into ImmTrac2, the state’s immunization registry. However, there is a 48-hour reporting lag time from ImmTrac2. Additionally, Texas has received 487,500 doses for Texas nursing homes and long-term care facilities, which are administered by CVS and Walgreens. Of those 487,500 doses, 75,312 have been administered. Click here to read more about the state’s ongoing vaccination efforts, which has reached all 254 counties in Texas.

 This week, Texas is set to receive nearly 940,000 doses, including nearly 200,000 first doses delivered to providers in 104 counties. For the remainder of January, Texas expects to deliver an additional 310,000 first doses per week and up to 500,000 second doses. Moving forward, first doses are expected to increase and will be dependent on the federal government.

Arlington firefighters and American Medical Response, the City’s contracted ambulance provider, administered more than 9,500 dose of the Moderna vaccine during the first two weeks of the large-scale vaccination effort, which is expected to last for months. The Arlington site, which serves Tarrant County and 10 other surrounding counties, is located inside a large exhibit hall at Esports Stadium Arlington + Expo Center, 1200 Ballpark Way.

“The scale of coordination and data management required for effective implementation of the state's mass vaccination plan in Arlington relies upon the teamwork of Global Medical Response, the City of Arlington and the Arlington Fire Department,” said Steven Dralle, South Region President for Global Medical Response. “We are proud to be working in partnership to help streamline vaccination efforts for our community utilizing GMR's SafeRestart Program. Our SafeRestart technology aids vaccination efforts through online scheduling, tracking and data reporting to the CDC.”

Representatives from other Texas communities, including Corsicana and Frisco, have toured the Arlington site since it opened last month.

 “We’re so happy to share our experiences with others. What we are doing here is very rewarding,” Arlington Fire Chief Don Crowson said. “We are excited to see it being replicated in other parts of Texas. At the end of the day, we are all Texans.”

Please click here to visit the TCPH vaccine sign up and eligibility screening website.

Click here to read the City of Arlington's Frequently Asked Questions about How to Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine.

During the news conference, Gov. Abbott was joined by Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Assistant Chief Josh Roberts, Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Commissioner John Hellerstedt, MD, Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, Tarrant County Judge B. Glen Whitley, and Texas Health Resources CEO Barclay E. Berdan.

Williams praised the collaboration between local, county and state partners and encouraged people to continue to take measures to protect themselves and the community against COVID-19, including registering to receive the vaccine when eligible.

“We need everyone in our community to get vaccinated,” Williams said. “I’ve asked you for months to wear your masks and to practice social distancing, but now we enter an integral phase of stopping this virus and getting back to normal sooner rather than later.”

Coronavirus
News, Community, Public Safety, Fire, Government