600 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to arrive in Cherokee County

CHEROKEE COUNTY – State officials announced Friday that additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the federal government will arrive in Texas the week of Feb. 8, including 600 Moderna for Cherokee County.

According to a release from the Texas Department of State Health Services, a total of 401,750 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine are being dispersed.

A total of 300 Moderna vaccines are earmarked for the Cherokee County Health Department in Jacksonville, while Brookshire Brothers pharmacies in Alto, Jacksonville and Rusk each will receive 100 doses.

"The Texas Department of State Health Services has instructed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ship those doses to 358 providers in 135 counties across Texas. That includes 85 hub providers that will focus on broader community vaccination efforts including the hardest hit populations and areas in exchange for a steady supply of vaccine from week to week. An additional 273 providers will receive doses next week with a focus on those that serve older adults, such as health departments, pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, community and rural clinics, and some medical practices that specialize in care for older adults," the release stated.

"DSHS is encouraging providers to make accommodations for people 75 and older, who remain at the highest risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. For example, providers could set aside a certain number of doses for older adults, serve them during special hours, help them move through vaccine clinics more quickly, or work with local partners to facilitate in-home vaccination. This does not change the groups eligible for vaccination," it stated.

The state also is ordering 330,925 doses intended as the second dose for individuals first vaccinated in January; people should be able to return to the same provider to receive their second dose within six weeks of the initial dose, officials said.

The release noted that providers in every county of Texas have administered nearly 2.9 million doses of vaccine, and that more than 2.2 million people have received at least one dose, and approximately 670,000 have been fully vaccinated.

People are not required to be vaccinated in their county of residence.

People can find more information on COVID-19 vaccine at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx.