ALICE, Texas — Registration started at 7 A.M. and the vaccines started to be distributed at about 7:30. A Jim Wells County sheriff says that more than 500 cars were let in. Christus Spohn Alice was at the head of the event and served Alice and the surrounding cities.
People were not denied based on where they live. It was a first-come-first-serve event.
Joe Gonzalez attended the Alice event today but went to the Robstown distribution event last week and was turned away, saying this event was more orderly.
“There was a lot of people parking everybody so it's been…this would be the prime example to use if there was a video tape of how to do it right,” Gonzalez said.
Before getting vaccinated people were asked if they were eligible to get the vaccine but medical records or documentation were not checked as proof.
Some school nurses volunteered for the event and members of the hospital were also on hand, letting people know what to expect after being vaccinated.
“We're giving them instructions about side affects, things to watch for, and the importance of coming back for their second vaccine,” Margot Rios, the Christus Spohn-Alice chief nursing officer said
People were held in a waiting area by officials for half an hour after they were vaccinated to check for allergic reactions. One person complained there was a lack of accommodations like food trucks, but others waited patiently with some waiting up to nine hours.
“They were clicking as we came through and now you can see I’m not 447 anymore, but as long as I get the vaccine I don't care,” Jane Layssard, an event attendee said.
Christus Spohn Alice says they don't know when the next vaccine event will be because it depends on when the state gives them a shipment.