AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Austin’s high well being authority is providing coronavirus vaccines to Texas lawmakers and their key staffers, no matter whether or not they’re at the moment eligible below state pointers.
Dr. Mark Escott, interim medical director for Austin Public Well being, confirmed to The Dallas Morning News on Thursday that he organized the vaccination effort with Ascension Seton, an area hospital well being system. He stated he is aware of at the least 5 to 10 legislators of each events who have been vaccinated by way of this course of previously few weeks.
“In the event that they’re going to lawmakers, they’re not going to someone else. However, once more, the general technique is to get the vaccine within the arms of individuals as shortly as we will,” Escott stated. “We now have to acknowledge that there are competing pursuits, and that continuity of presidency is important.”
An Ascension Seton spokesperson stated the hospital is cooperating with Escott’s request, including that almost all of these vaccinated to date have been eligible below state pointers that prioritize healthcare staff, the aged and people with sure medical vulnerabilities.
Escott stated he is involved that the flood of lawmakers coming to Austin for the legislative session may make it a superspreader occasion.
