Austin Public Health now not closing last COVID-19 vaccination center

Updated: After announcing it would close its last mass COVID-19 vaccination center on Saturday, Austin Public Health has decided not to close the site at Old Sims Elementary.

The reason: In the first two days of vaccinating babies and toddlers for COVID-19, it administered 173 doses.

It had not expected that uptick after surveys indicated families would go to their pediatricians for that vaccine, and after it had only administered 15 doses to the 5 to 11 year olds when boosters for that age group were approved in May.

However, many families have had trouble getting into their pediatrician's offices and pharmacies will not vaccinate children younger than 3. Austin Public Health said it will continue to fill in the gaps until supply is more available.

The Old Sims Elementary Gymnasium, at 1203 Springdale Road, will continue to offer vaccinations for all ages from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, and 2-7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

It will now look at the use of the mass vaccination center on a week-by-week basis, said Austin Public Health spokesperson Jen Samp.

"We know how to pivot," Samp said about the announcement that it will keep that clinic open.

At one point during winter and spring of 2021, Austin Public Health operated 12 mass vaccination clinics.

"We mobilized large-scale clinics in as little as 24 hours in areas historically known to have limited access to healthcare," said Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup. "Then after providing first doses to thousands, staff turned around operations and did it again for the second dose. I couldn't be prouder to be part of such a dedicated team whose hard work is still not done."

More: COVID-19 vaccines for kids under 5 are finally here, but most parents aren't jumping in line

In Travis County, 74% of people ages 5 and older are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In Texas, 65.9% of of ages 5 and older are fully vaccinated.

Austin Public Health s will continue mobile vaccination clinics for community groups, businesses and churches to host pop-up clinics. Those mobile vaccination clinics have focused on ZIP codes where vaccination rates have been lower.

"Our community’s effort to get vaccinated and protect themselves from COVID-19 has been invaluable in lowering the spread of COVID-19, preventing severe disease, hospitalizations and complications such as long COVID, diabetes or heart problems," said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. "The MVP (mobile vaccination program) will help us to reach those who are still in need of that protection."

Where to get tested for COVID in Austin

Austin Public Health said it will continue to operate its free testing center at 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday at Metz Elementary, 84 Robert T Martinez Jr. St.

The closing of the last mass vaccination clinic is happening days after the Travis County moved back into the medium level after a week hiatus in the low level on Thursday.

This week, Travis County hit 206.29 in transmission rate of COVID-19 cases. Anything above 200 puts a county in a medium range.

Hays, Williamson and Caldwell counties are also in the medium level. Bastrop County is in the low level.

Medium level encourages people who are up to date in vaccinations to wear a mask where social distancing is not possible and for people at higher risk to use precautions in public places.

Current COVID-19 status: After a week reprieve, Travis County back up to medium level on COVID-19 spread

Vaccines OK'd for most children

Everyone six months and older can now get vaccinated. Last week, both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for youngest children were approved.

Everyone 5 years old and older is eligible to get vaccinated and eligible for a booster five months after the original series (two doses for mRNA vaccines for most people, three doses for immune compromised people). Adults 50 and older can get a second booster four months after their first booster.

Austin Public Health will continue to provide vaccines for people without insurance or with Medicaid through its Shots for Tots clinics at 405 W. Stassney Lane and 7500 Blessing Ave by appointment (512-972-5520).

You can find a vaccine provider near you at vaccines.gov or by texting your ZIP code to 438829.

Vaccination availability: Kids 6 months to 4 years now eligible for COVID vaccine. Here's what you need to know.

Vaccinations can help prevent severe disease and death, experts say. That's really the goal of the vaccines: preventing hospitalizations and death, while keeping hospitals available to non-COVID-19 patients.

If you're not feeling well, take a COVID-19 test, either through Austin Public Health, your primary care doctor, a testing center or pharmacy or an at-home test (though, those are starting to be scarce again in Austin).

Austin Public Health has testing available 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday at Metz Elementary, 84 Robert T Martinez Jr. St. Tests are free at that site.

You also can get free at-home tests to have on hand through the U.S. government, covid.gov/tests.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin Public Health now not closing last COVID-19 vaccine center