HOUSTON – The U. S. City of Houston Health Department launched the city’s first public COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday.
“The vaccine is our most productive solution to help you prevent other people from getting sick and having serious consequences,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Saturday. “We are doing well to immunize eligible frontline personnel and vulnerable Houstonians. “
The Houston Department of Health said in a statement that public reaction to the vaccination site was overwhelming. The COVID-19 call center was flooded with those looking to schedule vaccination appointments.
According to the department, those who met the criteria for phase 1A or phase 1B vaccination and were seeking to get vaccinated had to make an appointment first.
According to the state of Texas, the distribution of the vaccine has been divided into phases. Phase 1A includes medical personnel and those living in nursing homes, and Phase 1B includes people 65 years of age or older or 16 years of age or older with chronic conditions.
Turner previously said the city intended in January to supply 100,000 vaccines to its residents.