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'There’s simply not enough demand' | Galveston County asks state to pause COVID vaccine shipments

Galveston County will be phasing out its mass drive-thru clinic, making May 1 its last day of operation.

Galveston County has asked the state to not send any more vaccines for next week due to a high supply and low demand.

Dr. Philip Keiser with the Galveston County Health District said by pausing the shipment of COVID vaccines, county officials can get a better sense of how many vaccines they need in the future. 

Kesier said the number of residents making appointments for the county's drive-thru clinic is on the decline.

"We have the ability to give up to 4,500 new vaccines a day at our drive-thru center at Walter Hall Park," said Keiser. "Last week when we looked at our appointments, we had 300 one day, 400 another day."

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For this reason, Galveston County has decided to phase out its drive-thru clinic, making May 1 its last day of operation.

"There’s simply not enough demand to keep the mass drive-thrus going," Keiser said. 

Keiser believes closing the mass drive-thru clinic in Galveston County puts the county one step closer to life before coronavirus. 

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"Under normal circumstances, you don’t drive through a public park, wait in line to have someone stick a needle in your arm. You drive to your doctor or clinic and you get a vaccine."

According to The Texas Department of State Health Services, 73 percent of adults over 65 have gotten at least one vaccine dose in Galveston County. Forty-five percent of adults 16 and older have gotten at least one vaccine dose in Galveston County.

For information on how to get a COVID vaccine in Galveston County, click here.

KHOU11 Reporter Stephanie Whitfield will have more on this story on KHOU11 News at 6 p.m.  

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