Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots available in Dallas for those who are eligible

Around 400 cars passed through the Ellis Davis Fieldhouse parking lot in southern Dallas County on Monday for the first day for booster shots for the Parkland vaccination site.

DALLAS - More than 60 million Americans are eligible for a booster shot and some may not realize it.

The same day President Joe Biden got his booster shot, so did hundreds in Dallas County.

Parkland Hospital began giving those booster shots Monday to eligible people who received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago.

Around 400 cars passed through the Ellis Davis Fieldhouse parking lot in southern Dallas County on Monday for the first day for booster shots for the Parkland vaccination site.

Maria Wagnon waited in line for two hours. Getting the booster shot is personal for her.

"I have a sister in the hospital. We don't know if she is going to make it," she said.

Wagnon’s sister has been on a ventilator for four weeks because of COVID.

"Very personal, yes," she said. "And I’ve had cancer in the past, so I don’t want to expose myself to things."

Samia Zia is the director of operations for COVID testing at the Ellis Davis site.

"It leaves a lot for interpretation. But our first responders, our grocery workers, they are coming through," she said. "So we are seeing individuals in those categories. But if they are answering yes to those questions, of course we are vaccinating them."

Dallas county is administering booster shots at three locations, including the State Fair of Texas.

"You need to provide your vaccination card. If you don't have one, provide an ID," said Christian Grisales with Dallas County Health and Human Services. "We're going to look you up in the system just to make sure that you did take your first and second dose."

That’s exactly what happened to Portia Harris. She works in the food court at the fair.

COVID-19 booster shots available in Dallas to those who are eligible

Booster vaccine doses are available to those who qualify. The federal government is clear with its message: there are more than enough shots to go around.

"I didn't have my card. They looked it up and found it and gave my shot," she said. "I want to make sure I am safe and try to stay safe. I have other issues. I am a type two diabetic."

Those eligible for a booster now include anyone 65 and up, adults with an underlying health condition and employees in high-risk work environments like health care workers and teachers.

There has been some confusion over who is eligible.

Last week, a panel for the Centers for Disease Control did not recommend the booster for people in high-risk occupations. But CDC Director Rochelle Walensky broke with the panel and signed off on the broader recommendation Friday morning.

"I recognize that confusion right now. Our recommendation is for these limited people in the population: over 65, high-risk workers, high-risk community occupations, as well as high risk by comorbidities," she said. "We are evaluating this science in real time. We are meeting every several weeks now to evaluate the science. The science may very well show that the rest of the population needs to be boosted and we will provide those guidances as soon as we have the science to inform them."

Parkland’s pop-up clinic at the Ellis Davis Field House runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

People must bring their vaccination card with them.

Both CVS and Walgreens pharmacies are offering booster doses. Appointments can be made online.

If you get your shot at Fair Park and are a Dallas County resident, you can get Six Flags tickets or coupons for the fair.

Booster shots for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have not yet been approved.