AUSTIN, Texas – Gov. Greg Abbott today announced Wednesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is establishing mass community vaccination sites in the DFW Metroplex and Houston.
These 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. The sites will be operated by FEMA in partnership with the state of Texas through the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and local officials.
According to a tweet from Abbott, these vaccination sites will be equipped to administer 5,000 to 6,000 vaccine doses a day, seven days a week for up to eight weeks.
Texas is working with FEMA to create some Super Sites for vaccinations.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) February 8, 2021
Initially it would likely be 2 sites with 5000-6000 additional vaccinations per day, 7 days a week for 8 weeks.
It would likely start in Houston & Dallas -- with possible expansion to other locations.
Preparations and buildout of these three locations is currently underway, and the sites are expected to be open to eligible members of the public beginning February 24. Registration details for appointments at these locations will be announced in the coming days.
"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," 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."
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The state will closely monitor vaccination uptake at each of these sites and will work with local and federal partners to make real-time decisions to ensure the best utilization of the additional vaccines that have been made available. Texas reached its deadliest day of the year for COVID-19 on Tuesday since a record hit in mid-January.
Texas also reported 12,966 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, bringing the number of Texas cases to just over 2.5 million since the pandemic began. Of those, an estimated 322,999 are active.
“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.”
Abbott also announced Tuesday a Texas Rent Relief Program, the first statewide rent and utility assistance program.