Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update February 6 - A Day We've Been Waiting For

Our appointments for the first COVID vaccinations were at 5:15 and 5:30 p.m. yesterday, at the Sammons Community Center. This effort is being carried out by the Bell County Public Health District, and is staffed by city, county and health district staff as well as a wonderful team of volunteers. We showed up about 30 minutes early, not knowing how long it might take or what to expect. 

We were surprised and pleased at how smoothly everything went. We were met outside by a fire fighter, who found our names on the appointment list and checked them off. Then we were admitted to the building. Inside we were directed to a station where our names were, once again, confirmed and a few questions asked. From there we were led into a large room, with several stations staffed by healthcare workers. Within a minute or two we were each directed to one of those stations, where the vaccinations were administered. We received the Pfizer vaccine. The nurse who gave me my shot went online, with her phone, and scheduled an appointment for Dan and me to get our second injections. We were asked to stay in the building for 15 minutes, just to make sure there was no bad reaction to the vaccine. 

The whole process was well organized and efficient. As we left the building, we checked the time and found that we were actually leaving a couple minutes before our actual appointment time (because we came a bit early). 

According to the local newspaper, Bell County's two first-dose vaccination centers have administered 14.010 first doses through their 17 days in service. During the first two days of second-dose administration, Bell County has administered 1,466 second doses. The second doses are being given at the Bell County Expo Center and are conducted as a drive-through procedure.

Our appointment for our second doses is March 2, at 2:30 p.m.

It will take awhile for the first dose to "kick in." The nurse told me that at about the time we are due for the second dose, the first dose should be about 50% effective. Two weeks after the second dose they estimate a 95% effectiveness rate.

I am thankful to God and grateful to the hard-working health-care workers and volunteers for this gift of hope for returning to a more normal way of life. 

As we left the building, we got stretchy bracelets reading "I GOT THE COVID VACCINE" on the outside, and "BELL COUNTY PUBLIC HEATH DISTRICT" on the inside.