BRENHAM, WASHINGTON CO. OFFICIALS ISSUE UPDATE ON COVID-19 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
Many residents of Washington County are still left wondering when it will be their turn to be vaccinated for COVID-19, and conflicting messages have some people frustrated.
In a joint press release this (Friday) morning from the City of Brenham and Washington County, the two said they continue to track information daily on the rollout of the vaccines across the state.
Brenham Mayor Milton Tate said the city continues to release as much information as possible while working alongside the county and local health officials. Washington County Judge John Durrenberger thanked the public for continuing to be patient, and said officials are “working diligently to make this a seamless process for the community.”
Texas continues to receive doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, and is distributing statewide to hospitals, pharmacies, and local health departments. Washington County EMS is an approved provider to administer vaccinations, but none have been received to date.
According to the release, the H-E-B, Brookshire Brothers, and Walgreens pharmacies in Brenham have received vaccine allotments, as well as Norman’s Pharmacy. Both the Brookshire Brothers and H-E-B pharmacies are not taking any more names on their waiting lists for vaccines until more are received. No primary care physician offices have received vaccinations as of today.
Frontline healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents are currently being vaccinated as part of Phase 1A of the state’s vaccine distribution. Phase 1B recipients are also eligible, depending on availability and the vaccine provider. Supply remains limited, but more vaccines will be delivered to providers each week.
Vaccines are estimated to be available to the general public in the spring, but that timeframe is subject to change.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions and information provided in the press release from the city and the county:
Who’s getting the vaccine now?
If you are a front-line healthcare worker or resident of a long-term care facility, you are eligible now to receive the vaccine since December 14. This group is considered Phase 1A.
If you are in Phase 1B, you are also eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, depending on availability and the vaccine provider. Vaccine supply remains limited, but more vaccine will be delivered to providers each week. Phase 1B recipients include:
- People 65 years of age and older
- People 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
- Solid organ transplantation
- Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
If you are in Phase 1A or 1B, please visit the Texas COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Locations map to see if and where you might be able to get a vaccine. Remember, your ability to get a vaccine today or this week will depend on vaccine availability.
Who’s getting the vaccine next and when?
Spring 2021 is the best estimate of when vaccines will be available for the general public, but that is subject to change.
What do I need to do now?
- Phase 1A: If you are a healthcare worker, contact your employer. If you are a long-term care resident,
contact your caretaker. - Phase 1B: Please visit the Texas COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Locations map to see vaccine providers near you.
- Do not show up at a hospital or clinic looking for vaccine.
- Instead, please check their website for information about vaccine availability. Call if the website does not answer your questions.
Remember, your ability to get a vaccine today or this week will depend on vaccine supply at hospitals, clinics. Texas receives more vaccine shipments each week. Please check this page frequently for updates.
If I am eligible, where can I go in Brenham?
Below are links to the following pharmacies that have received allotments in Brenham. No primary care physician (PCP) offices have received vaccinations as of today.
https://www.walgreens.com/topic/findcare/coronavirus.jsp?ban=dl_dlDLB_03292020_covid19
https://www.heb.com/pharmacy/services/immunizations.jsp
https://www.brookshirebrothers.com/covid-19
https://www.normanspharmacy.com/
For more information, please visit the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) website at: https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx
Working at a pharmacy, I am experiencing first-hand the commotion and confusion all this is causing.
Please be patient, everyone will get a chance to get the vaccine.
Different pharmacies have different protocols as to waiting list. Some do have a waiting list (NOT appointments), others don’t.
The best approach is to visit your pharnacy’s website for updates and waiting list availability.
For those with elderly parents or kin, please help them navigate the website.
I must emphasize getting on a waiting list does not mean having an appointment. It means getting a phone call from the provider to SET UP AN APPOINTMENT as vaccines become available.
Again, please be patient, anyone who wants a vaccine will get it. In the meantime have a great 2021!
So basically those who should know, know nothing of value. Perhaps they should all be contacting the state and our state Senator who is chair of the Health and Human services committee and serves on the Rural Affairs Committee. Perhaps our elected officials should be bringing all forces to bear on Baylor Scott and White who is doing nothing in Brenham other than sending their staff to College Station for vaccines. Perhaps the Spectator should check and report if our elected officials have gotten their vaccines even though none are available.
FYI Walgreens shows no appointments available.