Texas County Health Department hosting COVID-19 Vaccine PODs in Texas County communities
To date, the Texas County Health Department has given 4,258 COVID-19 vaccines and is continuing efforts in preventing COVID-19 by vaccinating as many residents as possible. All individuals in phases 1, 2 and 3 are now eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccination. These vaccines are free.
A break-down of phases:
Phase 1:
1. Long Term Care residents and staff served by the federal LTC Pharmacy Partnership Program (To be fulfilled per the federal allocation plan and distribution methods carried out via CVS and Walgreens to facilities certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. NonCMS facilities served by the state allocation plan.)
2. Health care workers providing direct inpatient care, including but not limited to Emergency
Rooms, hospitals, Intensive Care Units, and other workers inherent to the care of patients as determined by the inpatient facility (e.g. janitorial, food service, etc.).
3. Public health staff conducting front line COVID-19 pandemic mitigation and control activities (including but not limited to nurses administering COVID vaccine, public and private lab personnel processing COVID specimens, and other public health staff inherent to the COVID testing/vaccine process with direct contact with the public).
4. Oklahoma, state licensed, Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics.
Phase 2:
1. First responders, paid and unpaid (including but not limited to, fire departments, law enforcement, homeland security, emergency managers, and medical examiners).
2. Health care workers providing direct, COVID outpatient care and services, who through the course of their daily roles are not able to maintain social distancing, including but not limited to: • Workers providing care primarily for adults 65 and older, and/or adults of any age with comorbidities • Workers directly treating or screening for COVID-19 • Workers in high-risk outpatient settings such as those performing aerosolized procedures or close examinations of the nasopharynx, dentists, speech-language pathologists, etc. •
Workers in urgent care, outpatient facilities, primary care, federally qualified health centers, community health centers, rural health centers, pharmacies (not involved in the federal allocation plan), home health, hospice, rehabilitation services, occupational/physical therapy, etc. • Death care workers, involved in the handling of deceased COVID-19 persons
3. Adults age 65 and older, and adults of any age with comorbidities.
4. Teachers and staff in Pre-K-12 schools and educational settings.
5. Staff and residents in congregate locations and worksites including but not limited to:
• Homeless shelters • Public and private, state and municipal prisons/ jails, not including those facilities served by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and involved in the federal allocation plan • Certain manufacturing facilities with limited social distancing capacity who are critical to the maintenance of the food supply • Public transit systems that do not allow for appropriate social distancing
6. Public health staff supporting front line efforts, senior state, county, and city government leaders and elected officials critical to maintain continuity of governmental operations and services.
Phase 3:
1. Teachers, students, residents and administrative staff in educational settings outside PreK-12, including but not limited to: • Childcare facilities, early childhood facilities, colleges, universities, career/vocational technology centers, and other post-secondary institutions as may be eligible for the vaccine (e.g. if the vaccine is approved for appropriate ages <18 years to receive the vaccine)
2. Critical infrastructure personnel (“essential business/industry” personnel) as specified in the Governor’s 3rd executive order.
The Texas County Health Department will be set up in the communities within Texas County the next couple of weeks to vaccinate those interested by hosting vaccination PODs (Points of Dispensing).
March 22, 2021 – Goodwell @ OPSU Noble Center 9:30 am – 1:30 pm (walk-in clinic)
March 23, 2021 – Texhoma @ HS cafeteria 1:30 - 3:30 pm (walk-in clinic)
March 25, 2021 – Guymon @ HS practice gym 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (by appointment only, call 338-8544)
March 26, 2021 – Boise City @ Fair Grounds 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (walk-in clinic)
March 31, 2021 – Hooker @ Community Center 1:30 – 3:30 pm (walk-in clinic)
Vaccine offered is dependent on what is available at the time of distribution. Minors age 16 and 17 are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, with parental consent, but the parent must be present during the vaccine appointment. Moderna is available only for adults age 18 and up.
“If you are eligible, we encourage you to utilize these opportunities to get vaccinated to protect yourself and those around you,” said Regional Director Terri Salisbury. “Our staff is happy to assist you in any way to set up an appointment or guide you to one of our upcoming vaccine locations that will best fit your needs.
The Texas County Health Department is also scheduling vaccines during the week in their office located at 1410 N. East Street. Evening hour appointment options are available. Please call the Texas County Health Department at 580-3388544 to inquire about appointments or visit the online portal at vaccinate.oklahoma.gov.
In total, including pharmacies and other clinics, Texas County has been able to distribute 5,096 COVID-19 vaccines.