SAN ANTONIO — Starting Monday, all Texas adults will be eligible to get the coronavirus vaccine. While Metro Health’s interim director has urged young, healthy adults to wait, the mayor encourages them to try to get an appointment.
At Tuesday night's coronavirus response briefing, interim Metro Health Director Dr. Colleen Bridger said the city is receiving about 10,000 doses a week, and the state has yet to increase the supply at the four city-run vaccination sites.
She urged people who were young or without any underlying health conditions to seek other providers outside of the city-run sites.
“My request would be, if you’re a young healthy individual, please wait another month. There are still a number of people who are 50 and up who have not yet been vaccinated," Bridger said. "So if you’re a healthy young individual and can wait—please do that."
A day later, when Mayor Ron Nirenberg was asked if he agreed with Bridger’s stance, he made his position clear.
“Starting Monday, everyone in the state is eligible for vaccines. We want to get as many people as quickly as possible vaccinated in the state. So if you are eligible for a vaccine, go and get an appointment,” he said.
KENS 5 spoke with 36-year-old San Antonio resident Seve Lara, who said he believes getting in line for the vaccine is the right choice for him and others. He shared how he and his wife have been patiently waiting to get their shot.
“I liken it to buying concert tickets. Just waiting if a spot opens up,” Lara said. “If the opportunity comes up, I’m going to take it. Just so that I can protect the people around me.”
At the Wednesday coronavirus briefing, Bexar County Commissioner Justin Rodriguez says residents 80 years of age and older will be prioritized for the vaccine at University Health. The hospital plans to have a special online registration process to help them. Community members can fill out an online form on the information page here. This registry is available only for persons who are at least 80 years old. Photo identification with a date of birth will be required at the vaccination site. When asked why this move wasn’t done earlier, Rodriguez said it’s because there will be more demand.
“I think part of it is volume and as more volume becomes available...and, I think in anticipation of the higher demand, we've got to make sure those that are most vulnerable are protected," he said. "They decided to activate this and it’s the right thing to do at this point.”
In a statement, a University Health spokesperson reinforced the same message:
"As the line for vaccines gets longer, this registry will help move older adults to the front of it. It will also save them from the stress of competing with thousands of people – now of all ages - trying to nab an online appointment when limited numbers of slots are released to the public. With the University Health 80+ registry, people can take their time entering their information and someone from University Health will follow up with them by phone to make the appointment as quickly as possible."
At the Alamodome, the city says it will open 30,000 new slots for the vaccine Thursday at 7 p.m. If you would like to sign up, click here. The city also urges people to follow through with their appointments.