The National Weather Service says severe weather could hit North Texas throughout the day Friday, causing some health departments to adjust plans for COVID-19 vaccination sites. Many drive-thru sites will be closed or have reduced hours.
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Denton County Public Health canceled vaccinations at Texas Motor Speedway Friday.
"Our National Weather Service colleagues have been a critical planning partner for our clinic operations. After several meetings this week, [Friday]’s forecast represents increasing risk at the TMS site. In outdoor operations, lightning and hail are particularly dangerous and have forced us to reschedule," Denton County Judge Andy Eads says.
Denton County Public Health says people whose appointments are canceled will receive new times once the organization has confirmed dates and times. The organization sends weekly updates to people on its waiting list, and people can join Denton County's waiting list here.
Tarrant County Public Health has canceled vaccinations at Farrington Field in Fort Worth. People will be contacted to reschedule appointments or can call (817) 248-6299. People can register in Tarrant County here. The health department says people will be contacted within two days to pick a time and location.
Vaccinations as part of the partnership with UNT Health Science Center will continue Friday.
"As we move into storm season and start seeing inclement weather, we're going to have to be more mindful and pay attention to the weather to make sure we're not asking people to come to drive-thru, outdoor clinics in poor weather," says Fort Worth Fire Chief Jim Davis. "They'll be in an actual, brick-and-mortar facility."
UNT Health Science Center is operating vaccination sites inside Ridgmar Mall; Brighter Outlook at 4910 Dunbar St. Fort Worth, TX 76105; and Saginaw Recreation Center at 633 W. McLeroy Blvd. Saginaw, TX 76179.
People can make reservations at tarrantcountystrong.com. Ridgmar Mall does allow walk-ins, but people are urged to reserve a time. Appointments are required at the other two sites.
MedStar is planning a vaccination clinic from 12 p.m.-7 p.m. Friday at Mount Moriah Church at 1401 Meadowlane Terrace, Fort Worth, TX 76112.
Walk-ups will be accepted, but registration is encouraged here. MedStar says up to 1,000 vaccine doses are available.
Dallas County plans to keep the hub at Fair Park open, but Judge Clay Jenkins says the site will need to shut down if lightning is in the area since so many people are working outside.
"There's some bad weather coming. The rules are if there's lightning within a certain distance, we've got to shut down," Jenkins says.
Appointments are not required at Fair Park, but Jenkins is urging people to come before noon.
"We can't guarantee you we'll be open much after that at all," he says. "We will be asking people to get here between eight and 12. We won't be operating if the weather gets worse after that."
The City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management says the vaccination site at Potters House church will be closed Friday. People with appointments there should come back Saturday.