ELLIS COUNTY (1080 KRLD)- Unlike the larger counties in North Texas, Ellis County and others that are less-populated are overseen by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in public health planning and coordination.
That means rural jurisdictions are significantly more reliant on the state when it comes to procuring and administering the COVID-19 vaccine.
As of Tuesday, Ellis County Emergency Management Coordinator Samantha Pickett said more than 40 entities had enrolled to provide the vaccine, but only 17 had been approved by DSHS.
Pickett added Ellis County has seen a recent increase of about 40% in positive COVID tests.
To date, Ellis County has received 1,600 doses of the Moderna vaccine. The Pfizer product is not an option because of the ultra-cold storage logistics.
Pickett said her county is expecting another 1,500 doses of the Moderna vaccine.
