COVID-19 Vaccination HUB: What you need to know now that it has come to Ellis County

ELLIS COUNTY – When Ellis County Judge Todd Little released his public announcement Monday letting residents know they can now register for the COVID-19 vaccination and get in line at the Ellis County Vaccination Hub, the fine print included the vaccine hub has been allotted 5,000 vaccines for next week – as well as not every resident is eligible just yet.

Little said, “Through collaboration with the City of Waxahachie and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Waxahachie, we will begin vaccinating residents 65 and older and those with a chronic medical condition that increases their risk from the virus.”

Little added with more than 60,000 Ellis County residents and even more Texans that are eligible for the vaccine – to please be patient.

“We will continue to work through our plan day by day to effectively administer as many vaccines as possible,” Little added. “In order to pull this off we need your help. 

“Right now, this county wide effort is all about neighbors helping neighbors. While vaccine supplies continue to increase around the state, we must continue to care for and prioritize those that really need it.”

There is currently a registration link for the vaccination hub so the county’s most vulnerable groups can register to receive a vaccine by doing the following: Sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine by visiting BSWHealth.com/COVIDVaccine and be notified of available vaccine appointments at the Ellis County Vaccine Hub. 

For questions on how to register or schedule an appointment, call 1 (844) 279-8222. They do not need to complete the Baylor Scott and White COVID-19 health screening, unless they seek a doctor visit for approval.

Little noted in Ellis County, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center requested the Moderna vaccine so that is what is currently being used.

“I’m glad to see that the state is choosing to make sure that we have some vaccine available in Ellis County again,” said Ellis County Commissioner, Paul Perry. “Some physicians and pharmacists have told me that they would like to see the vaccine being made available through normal channels such as through local doctors and pharmacies as has been done in other states.”

WHAT NOT TO DO AT THE VACCINATION HUB

• Do not show up without an appointment.

• Do not Call the Waxahachie Senior Center. They will not be able to provide you with information regarding a vaccine.

WHAT TO DO AT THE VACCINATION HUB

• Register for a vaccine. Eligible recipients will be notified to schedule an appointment.

• Help those who might not have internet access register for a vaccine.

• Wear a short sleeve shirt or easily accessible clothing to receive the shot.

WHAT THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) SAYS ABOUT THE VACCINE 

According to the FDA website, it was Dec. 11, 2020 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the first emergency use authorization (EUA) for a vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 16 years of age and older. The emergency use authorization allowed the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to be distributed in the U.S.

The common side effects most reported and lasting up to several days included pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain and fever. It was also noted more people reported experiencing these side effects after the second dose versus the first dose.

WHAT THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL SAYS ABOUT THE VACCINE

At the CDC website there is a handy question and answer section worth a read. 

One question answered is which lasts longer: immunity after getting COVID-19 or protection from COVID-19 vaccines?

“The protection someone gains from having an infection (called “natural immunity”) varies depending on the disease, and it varies from person to person. Because this virus is new, we don’t know how long natural immunity might last. Current evidence suggests that getting the virus again (reinfection) is uncommon in the 90 days after the first infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.

“Experts are working to learn more about both natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity. CDC will keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available.”

Another question related to the herd immunity idea.

“Herd immunity means that enough people in a community are protected from getting a disease because they’ve already had the disease or they’ve been vaccinated. Herd immunity makes it hard for the disease to spread from person to person, and it even protects those who cannot be vaccinated, like newborns. CDC and other experts are studying herd immunity and will provide more information as it is available.”

Currently there are two vaccines available in the United States. Both the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccineexternal icon and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccineexternal icon. The CDC also noted vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost. 

“However, vaccination providers can charge an administration fee for giving someone the shot. Vaccination providers can be reimbursed for this by the patient’s public or private insurance company or, for uninsured patients, by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund,” the website stated.

In short, no one can be denied a vaccine if they are unable to pay the vaccine administration fee, according to the CDC. 

And so it begins. Time will tell the side effects, time it takes to receive the vaccine after signing up, what kind of rollout is possible that Perry mentions and, just what else is to be expected that we don’t even know we need to know yet.