City of McAllen to Host COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

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City of McAllen officials, in conjunction with the McAllen Independent School District and Hidalgo County, will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic tomorrow, Friday, January 22, 2021 at the McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Boulevard, starting at 8:00 a.m. for all pre-registered individuals in Tier 1A and Tier 1B.

Pre-registration begins later this morning at 10:00 a.m. and can either be done via drive-thru at the McAllen Performing Arts Center Parking Lot or online at www.mcallen.net/preregisterhere. Entrance for onsite registration is on Ithaca and 29^th Street.  Face masks are required while interacting with City of McAllen staff at all times. Attendees will be pre screened and temperature checked prior to pre-registration.  Please do not attend if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have been directly exposed to someone who has tested positive or if pending COVID-19 test results.

“The City of McAllen is pleased to be able to offer the first of many COVID-19 vaccine clinics for our residents,” said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling.  “I encourage everyone who is eligible to register for this important vaccine and I ask the rest of the community to be patient as we continue to receive more doses so that we are able to vaccinate all individuals in our community and county.  In the meantime, please continue to practice all COVID-19 safety protocols, especially wearing a mask, for the protection of others and yourselves.”

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Th City of McAllen COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be following state protocol that targets healthcare workers. These workers will be asked to provide proof that they are in the healthcare industry.

The clinic also targets anyone born before 1955 and are now 65 years or older. In addition, people aged 18 and older with certain medical conditions are eligible to be vaccinated with the advice of their doctors.

Please note that there are a limited number of vaccines available for this first COVID-19 vaccine clinic hosted by the City of McAllen.

Based on previous vaccine clinics held throughout Hidalgo County, McAllen officials are advising the following:

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·         Bring ID and proof of medical condition (current medication, a prescription from their doctor)

·         Bring clearance letter from their physician

·         People are encouraged to bring water and snacks

·         There could be periods of waiting and sitting in your vehicle

·         Children 18 and under should not be in the clinic

·         Those seeking vaccines with mobility concerns may bring one person to help them

Vaccines will be administered by McAllen I.S.D. school nurses and Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department nurses.

Media availability will be held for credentialed media on Friday, January 22, at 10:00 a.m. on site at the McAllen Convention Center. This will be the only opportunity for media to capture b-roll and interview officials about this event. Media will enter eastbound on Ithaca through 29th Street (same as general public). Media show their credential prior to entering parking lot and will park adjacent to McAllen Performing Arts Center. Media will follow HIPAA rules in protecting the privacy and identity of individuals in-line and receiving vaccines when capturing b-roll.

Attached are state definitions on Tier 1A and Tier 1B persons who are eligible for the vaccine at tomorrow’s clinic.

State of Texas Definitions for Vaccine Eligiblity

Healthcare Workers

First Tier

1. Paid and unpaid workers in hospital settings working directly with patients who are positive or at high risk for COVID-19. Such as but not limited to:
2. Physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and other support staff (custodial staff, etc.)
3. Additional clinical staff providing supporting laboratory, pharmacy, diagnostic and/or rehabilitation services
4. Others having direct contact with patients or infectious materials;
5. Long-term care staff working directly with vulnerable residents. Includes:
6. Direct care providers at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and state supported living centers
7. Physicians, nurses, personal care assistants, custodial, food service staff;
8. EMS providers who engage in 9-1-1 emergency services like pre-hospital care and transport;
9. Home health care workers, including hospice care, who directly interface with vulnerable and high-risk patients;
10. Residents of long-term care facilities.

Second Tier

1. Staff working in outpatient care settings who interact with symptomatic patients. Such as but not limited to:
   • Physicians, nurses, and other support staff (custodial staff, etc.)
   • Clinical staff providing diagnostic, laboratory, and/or rehabilitation services
   • Non 9-1-1 transport for routine care
   • Healthcare workers in corrections and detention facilities;
2. Direct care staff in freestanding emergency medical care facilities and urgent care clinics; 
3. Community pharmacy staff who may provide direct services to clients, including vaccination or testing for individuals who may have COVID;
4. Public health and emergency response staff directly involved in administration of COVID testing and vaccinations;
5. Responders who provide mortuary or death services to decedents with COVID-19 includes:
   • Embalmers and funeral home workers who have direct contact with decedents
   • Medical examiners and other medical certifiers who have direct contact with decedents;
6. School nurses who provide health care to students and teachers.

Also eligible for vaccines under state protocol are:

1. People 65 years of age and older;
2. People 18 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to:
   • Cancer
   • Chronic kidney disease
   • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
   • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
   • Solid organ transplantation
   • Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
   • Pregnancy
   • Sickle cell disease
   • Type 2 diabetes mellitus

These recipients are strongly encouraged to consult with and secure permission from their respective doctors to receive the vaccinations.

For more information, please call (956) 681-3111.

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