Milam County began its COVID-19 vaccination program New Year’s Eve when 31 people including Dr. Sidney Richardson, the county health authority, got shots in the county health department building in Cameron.
Over the next few weeks the plan is to give shots to hundreds more as the battle against COVID-19 continues now armed with a vaccine.
Many people have rushed to be vaccinated and they will be accommodated as the vaccine supply in the county is replenished, county officials said.
There are currently more than 400 on the list to be vaccinated, County Judge Steve Young noted in a news release.
Those now being vaccinated fall into the first two phases of the statewide program: Health-care workers, nursing home residents and staff, and those 65 and over, and those 16 and over with preexisting conditions.
The coronavirus is not in the makeup of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Robert Kirkpatrick, director of the Milam County Health Department.
“The Moderna vaccine is not giving you the COVID-19 virus. It is a messenger RNA that blocks the spiked protein of the coronavirus from attaching to the cells in your body. In turn preventing the virus from multiplying and reducing your chances of getting symptoms from the virus,” he said.
But he emphasized that simply because people are now being vaccinated, it does not mean people should become lax in wearing masks, social distancing and washing their hands often. These practices should still be used, he noted.
In addition to the county, Brookshire Brothers in Rockdale is also giving vaccinations. But do not call the local pharmacy. There are forms to fill out at BrookshireBrothers.com/COVID-19 or at The Rockdale Reporter website. Brookshires’ will resume taking appointments Jan. 12.
Laura Edmundson of Brookshire Brothers said the company’s pharmacies are following the state’s priority grouping system by vaccinating the health-care worker populations and residents of long-term care facilities before moving to people over the age of 65 and adults with chronic medical conditions.
“Our pharmacists are diligently working to handle the enormous demands from people wanting to receive the COVID-19 vaccination,” Edmundson, director of clinical pharmacy programs, said.
Those who currently qualify to receive the vaccine must make an appointment with their local pharmacy. Edmundson emphasized the vaccine is not available to the general public at this time.
“We ask for your patience as we provide this valuable service to our communities,” she said. “We also ask the general public to limit their calls concerning the vaccine so our staff can focus on serving customers and vaccinating the top priority groups.”
The current vaccination is a two-shot deal. When one gets the first shot, the second shot comes 28 days later. When the first shots are given patients will get a card telling them what brand of vaccine they got and when they are scheduled for the second dose of the same brand of vaccine.
“After your first vaccination your body begins developing antibodies that will fight the virus. However, you will not have the full effect of the vaccine until approximately 14 days after your second dose. So from the first dose of vaccine to full efficacy will take approximately 42 days with the Moderna vaccine,” Kirkpatrick said.
“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,” Young said. “This is our best chance to get this terrible pandemic under control. In order to establish herd immunity, we need 70 percent to 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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