The city of Garland’s Director of Health, Jason Chessher, said in a recent Facebook Live broadcast that the city will receive 900 doses of the Moderna Coronavirus vaccine during the week of Christmas. He said that health care workers such as hospital staff, long-term care facility staff, emergency medical services personnel, home health care and hospice workers, first responders and residents of long-term care facilities will be among the first groups to receive the vaccine. More information on the order in which vaccines will be administered will be released soon.
The 900 doses will not be enough to cover all these groups, but Chessher said that the sooner the first doses are administered, the sooner more doses will be distributed to the city. It’s not currently clear which vaccine brands will be delivered to Garland after this first round of 900. It is important to remember that both brands, Pfizer and Moderna, require two shots, the second shot should be given about three weeks after the first.
Brands cannot be interchanged. Whichever brand your first dose is, the second dose must be the same. A card that shows the does brand will be issued at the time of the first shot and you’ll present that card when you receive the second shot.
Vaccines will be administered in a drive-thru fashion while recipients remain in their cars. This process has been tested and Chessher said that they have found that it works. There will be drive-thru locations in Garland, Sachse and Rowlett.
When information becomes available about the number of doses and dates of delivery to the city, those who wish to be vaccinated will be able to sign up on the city’s website. A phone number will also be published for making appointments. Additionally, many health care providers such as primary care physicians, stand-alone ERs and pharmacies, are applying to administer vaccines. There will be no out of pocket cost for recipients.
During the Q&A segment of the Facebook Live event, Chessher answered questions posed by citizens watching.
What about a vaccine for children? The trials that have been finished were only for adults, but children’s trials are underway.
What about allergic reactions? After being immunized, people will be asked to stay at the site for 15 minutes – 30 minutes if they have ever had an allergic reaction to any of the vaccine ingredients. They will be monitored and an ambulance will be on-site for possible emergencies.
Are the vaccines safe? Chessher’s answer was yes, it is safe and effective according to every available source.
Are any of the vaccine brands better? Pfizer and Moderna have showed 95% efficiency. More brands will be approved and some will be more effective than others.
Do we have to have vaccine? No. It’s a personal choice whether to be vaccinated or not.
Chessher said that the city has been planning for the vaccine distribution for a long time they are ready.