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Confusion surrounds vaccine distributions in Dallas, Tarrant counties

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Updated  January 5, 2021 10:09pm CST
Coronavirus Vaccine
FOX 4

Confusion surrounds vaccine distributions in Dallas, Tarrant counties

There’s a very limited supply. Procedures vary by county, and each county is still figuring it out.

Both Tarrant and Dallas counties are trying to address confusion about who can get a COVID-19 shot.

Even though the vaccines are being allocated by the state, distribution looks different in every county.

People are hearing the vaccine is in their area and they’re seeing others line up for it. But that doesn’t mean anyone can get it, even if you fit a certain category.

There’s a very limited supply. Procedures vary by county, and each county is still figuring it out.

Tarrant County Continues Phase 1B Distribution

Tarrant County continues Phase 1B distribution

The state is continuing Phase 1B vaccine distribution, but not every county is there yet. Those that are, like Tarrant County, are working out major kinks.

There were long lines before daybreak Tuesday at Arlington’s Esports Complex of people wanting to get vaccinated.

There are about 40,000 eligible people in Tarrant County set to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Most are medical staff or first responders. But about one in four are part of Phase 1B: people over 65 years old or a person with underlying conditions.

The state is continuing Phase 1B vaccine distribution, but not every county is there yet. Those that are, like Tarrant County, are working out major kinks.

Too many people without appointments or arriving far too early are contributing to long lines and confusion at the county public health office.

The rush to get the vaccine has also led to long lines outside the Tarrant County Resource Connection in South Fort Worth.

It’s a point of frustration for Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley.

"That’s got to stop. It’s got to stop! Not just we’re going to talk about it. But it’s got to stop!" he said.

Whitley pressed Tarrant County Public Health Director Dr. Vinny Taneja on the county’s plan moving forward.

"I can't tell you how many phone calls I get from people who said, ‘I showed up at 10 o’clock when my appointment was. I ended up in a mile-long line. Nobody came back asked me if I had an appointment,’" Whitley said.

Dr. Taneja insists county staff are checking appointments and making sure people who registered are eligible to get vaccinated during Phase 1A or 1B. He says initial plans for the Resource Connection facility quickly changed when the location became public.

"We had only our closed private POD operating at that point and the public started showing up. We can’t say no," Dr. Taneja said.

"Yes, you can," Whitley said. Yes, you can!"

But Dr. Taneja says they didn’t turn away those unregistered people because the state directed the counties not to let any vaccines go to waste.

"That’s when we allowed them to come and get the vaccine to fill those unfilled spots," the health director said.

The county is now in the process of identifying alternate vaccination sites with space for people to wait in their cars instead of in line.

The Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center in Fort Worth and the Hurst Convention Center as two possibilities on the table.

Commissioner Roy Brooks is calling for a site in every neighborhood.

"Community centers, libraries, churches, synagogues, mosques," he said.

Keep in mind, running a facility requires roughly 100 staff members at each location.

"We’re wanting to do like smaller footprint in multiple areas so it’s more distributed access," Dr. Taneja said.

Tarrant County Vaccine Registration Info

Dallas County Still Focusing on Frontline Workers

Dallas County still focusing on vaccinating frontline workers

To date, vaccine providers in Dallas County have received a little more than 85,000 doses. The county is still focusing on first responders and frontline workers in the 1A group. 

In Dallas County, local leaders are still figuring out how to clarify public messaging.

To date, vaccine providers in Dallas County have received a little more than 85,000 doses. The county is still focusing on first responders and frontline workers in the 1A group. 

"We are bigger than Tarrant county, so I would imagine we have more healthcare workers," said Dallas County Health Director Dr. Philip Huang.

It’s not ready for group 1B just yet, although people are asked to register for the vaccine on the county website.

It’s leading some to believe they’ll soon be getting a call when it could still be weeks or even months.

"Because when people read this, they say, ‘Oh my God! I’m on the list! I’m going to get the vaccine! But when?’ That is lost in this message," said Dallas County Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia.

If you go to the Texas vaccine provider dashboard, it shows multiple pharmacies in the county with the vaccine. What the dashboard does not tell you is that those pharmacies are only working with long term care facilities.

"All of the vaccine that has gone to the pharmacies thus far is either going for the nursing homes or also working with the medical societies to get the other outpatient physicians and staff covered," Dr. Huang said.

Vaccine rollout causing confusion for North Texas providers

The slow distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in Texas is a frustration for county leaders, the public and even doctors. Good Day learned more from Dr. Nick Karr, the founder of Sinai Urgent Care.

The question many are asking is when will people in the next phase be able to get vaccinated. The answer from health officials is soon, but there is no definitive start date.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins says the state plans to send 2,000 doses a day starting next week. But there’s no answer as to if those will be a priority for the 35,000 in group 1A who have yet to be vaccinated.

"We want to move to the 1B, and we are planning on moving into the 1B. There is just still limited vaccine available," Dr. Huang said.

As for when the vaccine will be available for the general population, Dr. Huang says it could be several months.

"The expectation is that maybe not until July or October that there’s adequate supply for the general population," he said. "But understating that it is changing daily."

Dallas County leaders say they are preparing for Phase 1B distribution as supply ramps up. They are considering mega-sites like the University of North Texas at Dallas, Fair Park or the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

"What we are looking for is a very, very large footprint with large space with a lot of indoor space for observations after they get shots," Jenkins said.

The goal is to have a mega-site open by next week.

Judge Clay Jenkins gives an update on Dallas County vaccinations

A limited supply of vaccine is keeping Dallas County from offering shots to people other than frontline workers -- the so-called group 1A. Judge Clay Jenkins joined Good Day to give an update on when the vaccine will be available to others.

COVID-19 Vaccine Registration