By Sahar Chmais 

HAYS COUNTY — The U.S. is more than four weeks into the COVID-19 vaccination process and so far, over 4,775 vaccines have been administered in Hays County. 

Most of the vaccines given in Hays County have been the ones manufactured by Moderna. There are also additional doses not included in the 4,775 which the state received through Pfizer to be set aside for exclusive use in the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program. The program pairs pharmacies with local nursing homes and assisted living centers to vaccine residents and staff. 

Hays County Health Department has not received COVID-19 vaccines to administer to Hays County residents. The vaccine doses are going to enrolled providers. 

The  following facilities have received doses thus far: Seton Medical Center Hays, Baylor Scott and White Buda Medical Center, several HEB Pharmacies around Hays County, Austin Regional Clinic in Kyle, Premier ER San Marcos, San Marcos Family Medicine, Brookshires Pharmacy 67, Wimberley Pharmacy and Dripping Springs Pharmacy. 

Residents are not restricted to receive vaccines in the county they reside in. For example, they can get COVID-19 vaccines in the county they work in or get medical care in Travis County and vice versa. 

The number one goal for the Texas Department of Health and Safety (DSHS) is to get people in priority populations vaccines quickly to reduce hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19. Priority populations include healthcare workers, long-term care residents, people 65 or older and people 16 and older with chronic medical conditions including pregnancy. To find out more details on who fits in the priority populations, visit the Texas DSHS website. 

Texas DSHS has directed providers to vaccinate people in the priority groups to reach their goal of protecting the most vulnerable. 

“We want everyone to know,” said Douglas Lovejoy, press officer for DSHS, “that more vaccine is coming each week and we want to use all of the vaccine in Texas each week.”