Karen Gleason
Del Rio City Council members on Tuesday asked an array of questions about ongoing efforts to vaccinate community members against the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Following a presentation on the area’s current COVID situation, the council also heard from Assistant Val Verde County/City of Del Rio Local Health Authority Dr. Laura Palau.
Palau said details of future vaccination events would be posted on the city’s web site.
Councilman Alfredo “Fred” Carranza Jr. asked Palau to clarify whether persons who have already registered to receive the vaccine but who have not yet been vaccinated need to register again.
Palau said those who have already registered do not need to register again. She said those who have already registered will be notified via text or email when to make an appointment during an upcoming vaccination event.
Carranza gave all of the partners involved in Saturday’s vaccination event high marks.
“The beauty of it was that our community really came together,” he said.
The group also received praise from other council members.
Councilman J.P. Sanchez asked about the second dose of the vaccine.
“Is it the same medicine or another medicine? Or is it just two shots of the same vaccine?” Sanchez asked.
“Yes, it is the same medicine, the same vaccine. Basically, the second vaccine is like an immune booster. With the first shot you get some protection, but you get the full protection with two doses,” Palau replied.
Sanchez also asked what happened if persons who received the first dose did not get their second doses within the specified timeframes – 21 days for the Pfizer vaccine and 28 for the Moderna vaccine.
“The CDC has published some guidelines regarding that, so it doesn’t have to be exactly the 21 days. There can be up to a one week difference, but we are trying to be exact and make it the 21 days,” Palau said.
Sanchez then asked if there would be enough vaccine available in Del Rio to continue first doses and also provide second doses to those who had received the first dose.
“What we want to do, for example we had the clinic last Saturday, so the clinic we’ll have on Feb. 13 will be scheduled for persons to receive the second dose,” Palau said.
In response to a question by Councilman Raul Ojeda, Palau said it would be some time before there is “herd immunity” in Del Rio and encouraged continued use of social distancing measures and mask wearing.
