County’s COVID-19 vaccine demand decreasing

A recent COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Silver Sage had 200 slots available, but only filled approximately 150 appointments, prompting the county to stop scheduling future clinics hosted by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

“According to DSHS, that was a similar scene in the other counties they have been doing lately,” said Emergency Management Coordinator Carey Reed, adding everyone on a list maintained by the county and Silver Sage was called before April 29 appointments were made available to everyone over the age of 18.

A May 3 report from the DSHS said 36 percent of Bandera county residents aged 16 and over have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 27 percent of that age group are fully vaccinated.

The report also said 55 percent of the county’s population aged 65 and over have received one dose, and 45 percent of that age group are fully vaccinated.

Statewide, DSHS reports that just under 36 percent of Texans are fully vaccinated, with 49.76 percent of that demographic having received at least one dose.

Reed credits not filling the recent clinic’s appointment capacity to vaccines becoming more available in and around Bandera county.

“We will have a second dose clinic in four weeks, but that should be the last one that we schedule,” she said.

Reed elaborated the county may have a few small clinics in select neighborhoods to serve those who don’t have transportation.

“If we do that, we will post all the information and there will be a sign up before they will be first come first serve,” said Reed.

DSHS reported on May 3 that there were an estimated 23 active cases of COVID-19 in Bandera County.