Vaccines could be here this week
By Melinda L. Lucas
It looks like there may be COVID-19 vaccines on the horizon for Shackelford County clinics, but the arrival dates were not firmed up as of press time on Wednesday morning.
ResourceCare Albany was approved for 100 Moderna vaccines, with the staff hoping that they arrive by this Friday, Jan. 29.
Holly Martin on the nursing staff at ResourceCare said Tuesday that there is already a long list of patients, county citizens, and even residents outside the county who have called to register, with more names than doses.
ResourceCare Chief Operating Officer Vickie Street announced Wednesday that local health care workers and first responders who have not yet been vaccinated will be allowed to get the first doses.
“They will vaccinate high risk patients first after the first responders, and if they have doses left, they will go down the over-65 list until the 100 doses are used,” said county judge Robert Skelton.
At the Shackelford County Health Clinic, administrator Jera Fairley is looking for 200 vaccines in the near future.
“Hopefully, our vaccines will be here next week,” said Fairley. “We requested 200 to start.”
She added that they are not taking names until they find out for sure that they are receiving doses.
Skelton has been officially notified of ResourceCare’s allocation of 100 doses, but on Wednesday morning, he had not yet heard anything about an allotment for the Shackelford County clinic.
Skelton did say that he has learned that rides are available to out-of-county clinics for those who need them by calling Central Texas Rural Transit District/City and Rural Rides at 800-710-2277, ext. 241 or 118.
“Most citizens have family or a friend to take them to their vaccination appointments, but free transportation is being offered to those over 65 years of age who wish to travel to a vaccination clinic in Abilene, Anson, and possibly Ballinger,” Skelton said.
