Saturday’s COVID-19 vaccination mega site at Minute Maid Park inched Houston closer to the end of the pandemic. Although demand far outmatched supply, 6,462 more people had their first dose of vaccine by the end of the day.
I knew vaccinating 5,000 people in a single day was ambitious, but I also know getting the vaccine out as quickly as possible once received is vital to saving lives.
While we exceeded our goal, there were challenges.
The Houston Health Department accommodated as many people as possible Saturday, but it was forced to close the site at 6 p.m. and reschedule some people for a future appointment date.
Several factors appeared to have contributed to the long lines Saturday afternoon, and we are taking steps to address the issues. We will improve our appointment system to ensure people who register online receive confirmation of their appointment and better understand the process. We will also more thoroughly confirm confirmation numbers on-site so people without appointments can’t skip the line by claiming to have lost their number. These adjustments will also help eliminate the potential for people to share their confirmation number with others.
If you had an appointment Saturday and did not provide your name and phone number before leaving, please call the Houston Health Department’s COVID-19 call center at 832-393-4220 on Thursday to reschedule. You will need your confirmation number. If you provided your name and number on site, you will be contacted Thursday.
As of Sunday, our health department received a total of 30,950 doses of vaccine. Of the allotment, the department transferred 1,900 doses to other providers. It administered 27,487 doses at locations including Minute Maid Park, Bayou City Event Center, its Northside, La Nueva Casa de Amigos, Sharpstown and Sunnyside health centers, the JW Peavy Senior Center, and its Acres Homes, Hiram Clarke, and Magnolia multi-service centers.
As supply increases, the Houston Health Department will make the vaccine available at its health centers, multi-service centers, community locations, and mobile units.
Learn about new appointment opportunities through email, text message, voice call, or mobile app push notification by registering for the HoustonRecovers subscription of AlertHouston at HoustonEmergency.org/covid19.