Governor Abbott, FEMA Launch Community Vaccination Sites In Dallas, Houston
AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM) - Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is establishing mass community vaccination sites in the DFW Metroplex and Houston. The federal pilot sites, which will be based at AT&T Stadium, Fair Park, and NRG Stadium, are part of a joint effort to support vaccination efforts in underserved areas. FEMA will operate the sites in partnership with the state through the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and local officials.
"These mass community sites will allow us to expand access to COVID-19 vaccinations in underserved communities and help us mitigate the spread of the virus," said Governor Abbott. "Thank you to our partners at FEMA for working with the State of Texas to establish these vaccination sites and help us protect our most vulnerable."
Preparations and buildout of the three locations is now underway, and the sites are expected to be open to eligible members of the public beginning February 24. Registration details for appointments at the locations will be announced in the coming days.
"Our state and local partners have made an extraordinary effort in the vaccine rollout, these sites are another opportunity to work together and assist in the vaccine administration," said Tony Robinson, FEMA Region 6 Administrator. "We are making progress, but the job isn't complete until everyone who wants a vaccine receives a vaccine."
The goal of establishing the joint federal pilot sites, according to a news release, is to continue to vaccinate more Texans in an efficient, effective, and equitable manner, with an explicit focus on making sure that communities with a high risk of COVID-19 exposure and infection are not left behind. The state will closely monitor vaccination uptake at each of the sites and will work with local and federal partners to make real-time decisions to ensure the best utilization of the additional vaccines that are made available.