County to get COVID-19 vaccines

By V. Hugh Lewis II, Jefferson Jimplecute

UPDATE: The County received notification of the Texas Mobile unit would be in Jefferson on Friday, January 29, at 10 a.m. Only 100 doses were supplied and the County opened registration as soon as it was available from TDEM, which was at 3 p.m. Thursday. All 100 registrations were claimed by 3:20p. A waiting list is available at the County Judge’s office. Judge LaFleur received a call during the event that 100 more doses were being made available to Marion County and the date for their arrival will be announced shortly.

Original:

Marion County will soon have the vaccine available.

Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur shared a press release Wednesday morning writing “We are pleased to announce that Gov. Greg Abbott has chosen Marion County as a participant in the mobile vaccine pilot program.”

There are five mobile units in the initial pilot program around the state.

“I’m very pleased that Austin has recognized that rural Texas needs help,” LaFleur said.

No additional information was provided in the release but in discussion with LaFleur, he confirmed the unit is scheduled to be at the Jefferson Visitors Center at 10 a.m. on Friday.

“As soon as registration opens online, I hope everyone goes and signs-up to be vaccinated,” LaFleur said. “That way, they see we’re serious about getting vaccinated and then they’ll bring the unit back.”

According to LaFleur the mobile unit is only supplied with 100 doses this first trip. 

Registration information was still pending as of press time. LaFleur suggested residents monitor the Texas Department of State Health Services website (dshs.texas.gov) for registration information. The Jimplecute/Herald will also be posting online information as it becomes available.

CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Longview was named a Regional COVID-19 Hub by the State on Monday. They launched a program called “My Shot Now” to “vaccinate as many eligible East Texans as possible,” according to a press release. Beginning Saturday, January 30, CHRISTUS Good Shepherd, Gregg County, and the City of Longview first responders will be operating a weekend clinic to administer vaccines to those who meet the criteria for Phase 1A or Phase 1B. The vaccine is free to the public, but an appointment is required.

According to a second press release Wednesday morning from CHRISTUS, the Hub had nearly 14,000 people schedule appointments. As a result, all currently scheduled appointments for the weekend vaccination site in Gregg County have been filled through the first four weekends. The release also stated the state is scheduled to replenish the vaccine supply and additional appointments will be added next Friday, February 5.

CHRISTUS vaccine registration is available at vaccinate.christushealth.org