DATE: January 14 - A Session
DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Colleen Bridger, MPH PhD, Assistant City Manager and Interim Health Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: A briefing on COVID-19 numbers and vaccine distribution plans
SUMMARY:
Metro Health will provide a presentation on the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on the COVID-19 vaccination plan and the strategy being implemented for distribution and administration.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge throughout the United States. Hospital systems are stressed, and record numbers of cases and deaths are a near daily occurrence. Two leading vaccines developed by Pfizer and by Moderna have been approved for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Metro Health has been in communication with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to coordinate efforts in our area now that the vaccine is available in extremely limited quantities. Metro Health will work with our SAFD, STRAC, hospital, non-profit and other partners and serve as a coordinator to ensure as much vaccine gets administered as quickly as possible, with a special focus on medically underserved areas. Full vaccination of our community is not expected until the fall as vaccination production efforts ramp up over the next several months.
The 4 priorities for the vaccination effort are: 1) monitor vaccine doses received and administered; 2) expand access to mass vaccination clinics; 3) ensure equity is at the heart of vaccine distribution; and 4) clearly communicate to the community where vaccine is available.
ISSUE:
Metro Health would like the opportunity to brief the entire Council on the current status of COVID-19 in the community as well as the vaccine implementation plan.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact at this time.
RECOMMENDATION: ...
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