Methodist Dallas has begun vaccinating people with reservations at the hospital in Oak Cliff. The hospital system received 3,000 doses from the City of Dallas' supply this week.
"Everyone inside is pleased and happy with the flow. It's comfortable," says Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson. "They're happy. I think being able to get a life-saving vaccine in under an hour is not a bad thing."
People with reservations are directed to park in a lot at the hospital. They are then taken by a DART bus to the vaccination location and then back to their car.
In the first two hours of vaccinations Thursday morning, Methodist Chief Executive Jim Scoggin says 600 people had already been vaccinated. He says Methodist expected to use its entire supply by the end of the day Friday.
"If not, we will extend the hours or extend a day or two because that's the whole purpose of this endeavor," he says.
Scoggin says Methodist is also planning "pop up" registration sites.
"We'll be taking those pop up registration sites to some of those more challenged communities within the southern sector of Dallas, where there may not be ready access to a computer or an iPhone in some instances or access to reliable, broadband internet," he says.
Scoggin says Methodist is also in ongoing discussions with the state to be set up as a vaccination "hub" separate from the City of Dallas. The city received a total of 4,875 doses this week. Three thousand went to Methodist. The other 1,875 went to Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, which is still operated as a hub by Dallas Fire Rescue.
Reservations are required at both locations. People can register at DallasCountyCovid.org or by calling (469) 749-9900 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
