She stress that vaccine supply is still very limited at the moment.
good morning! while we wait for @AusPublicHealth to begin their weekly update, here are some things you might've
She stress that vaccine supply is still very limited at the moment.
Says "we're all frustrated by the number of vaccines available" but protective measures will have to continue until that supply grows.
Escott: I'm concerned about positive rates in young people. The situation is different from earlier: Positivity rate is 4x as high as fall and now we have a new variant.
Says it "will be a struggle" to control outbreaks
Hayden: Says they have larger sites they are using now that could administer 2,000 vaccines per day. Once supply is consistent, then we can plan greater distribution.
Dr. Jason Pickett: demand is far outstripping the supply on infusion. says there is work being done on a better referral system, focusing efforts on under-served populations and those disproportionately affected
next Q is about the new variant of COVID-19:
Epidemiologist Janet Pichette says there has been no confirmation in Travis County. There has been a case in Houston, so it very well could be in other parts of the state but nothing confirmed
Hayden says providers are required to provide that second dose. That's why they are trying to prioritize those 1A and 1B groups.
Dr. Jason Pickett says they cannot ask for that information, says that is a conversation for a physician. "We can't check their blood sugar for Diabetes" says it's up to individual.
Pickett: more beds will be added, we have 250 and can expand to 1000. initial rollout was expected at 100 beds, so we can quickly open 25 more, then 25 more as needed and see where we go from there.
Escott: UT has been great partners, says UT plans to continue proactive testing in Spring. giving UT same advice as local schools, "if you can go virtual, go virtual"
Hayden: information on site distribution will be available tomorrow.
I believe she said there were 20,000 signups for the 12k vaccines APH received this week. she said "20k accounts for 12k shots"
Hayden: we are aware, those pods are closed pods for 1A and some 1B folks. with people spreading info, word got out.
Says to people who plan to just show up: We cannot provide you a vaccine if you don't have an appointment.
But again, you shouldn't plan on this happening again according to Hayden
Escott says numbers will be added to the daily dashboard
Hayden says the move was done in alignment with other sites, saying it works better for the patient and the testing personnel. says it was a busy site, and the changes were made to make it more efficient
Hayden: @TexasDSHS says people can get a vaccine anywhere in the state. It would probably be easier to do it in your own community, but no proof is necessary.
Hayden: Yes. our goal is to register as many people as possible, then they will be contacted when there is availability.
Hayden says there have been conversations with other coutnies, Williamson and Bastrop if i recall, and they are looking into it.
Escott says other large systems, like HEB, could also be part of the system.
Pickett: there is concern about that, especially given the amount of misinformation around the vaccine. go to APH or CDC website for quality information on the vaccine
Escott: projections show that is going to happen, so it could vary but there's not a lot of room left.
Hayden: we know there is excitement about the vaccine. We ask that you be patient with us. With more supply, the community will see more locations that they can reach out to.
If you have COVID symptoms, please get tested.
