I am happy to report that the COVID-19 vaccine is now in Milam County. We received our first shipment of 100 doses of the Moderna vaccine on Tuesday in Rockdale. The Milam County Health Department has begun administering the drug.
In addition, Brookshire Brothers also received a shipment of the vaccine and it, too, will administer the drug.
As of Tuesday afternoon, there was a big change in the state’s vaccination protocol. We can now vaccinate groups 1A and group 1B. The groups are specifically defined by the state, but generally group 1A are healthcare workers and group 1B are those over 65 and those between 16 and 64 with a serious underlying health condition. You can view the definitions and the state protocol online at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/ coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx.
The Milam County Health Department will start vaccinations this week. However, as we only have 100 doses, we will be woefully short. If you are in group 1A or 1B and you would like to get the vaccine, please call our vaccine hotline at 254-697-7000 and ask for Denise Wallace who will get you on the vaccination list and answer your questions. One may also email Ms. Wallace at dwallace@milamcounty. net. We will get you on the list and get you vaccinated just as soon as we get the drugs. We do anticipate getting more very soon as we will receive weekly shipments.
Brookshire Brothers in Rockdale is also administering the drug pursuant to the above protocol. However, this is by appointment only and its staff is somewhat stretched at this point. You might also contact your medical provider and inquire about a vaccination.
The Moderna drug is a two-shot vaccine, meaning that a booster shot is necessary 28 days after the first shot. Those who are vaccinated will be given a card depicting the type of vaccine they received and when the booster shot can be given. It is imperative that both shots be received. Further, the drug cannot be intermingled with another drug, such as the Pfizer vaccine. The vaccine will be provided at no cost, although there may be an administration charge for those with insurance.
We plan to establish mobile vaccinations much like we are doing the COVID testing. As we get more of the vaccine, we will publish a schedule of where one may receive the vaccination. We have partnered with Texas A&M Health Science to administer the drug which will allow us to provide after hours and weekend vaccinations.
While vaccinations are totally voluntary, we highly recommend that everyone receive a vaccination. Even if you have previously been infected by the virus, you should still get the shot. This is our best chance to get this terrible pandemic under control. In order to establish herd immunity, we need 70-90 percent of the Milam County population to be vaccinated. We have been under the gun for almost a year and now we have a ticket to safety, so please do your part and get the shots.
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