Data shows slow distribution of COVID-19 vaccine while local leaders hope to reduce fears
HOUSTON โ At the McGovern Medical School, some of our areaโs most prominent politicians got together and rolled up their sleeves to take the COVID-19 vaccine together. It was all part of a joint effort to remove any fears, especially in the Black and Hispanic communities, about getting vaccinated. As of Wednesday, of the 124,000 doses that Harris County received to distribute, only 28,000 had actually gone to people, according to the State Department of Health Services website. In Fort Bend County, of the 12,500 doses in stock, only 4,100 dosed had been given to people. By next week, Texas will have received 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, according to the chief medical advisor to Governor Abbott.
Mayor Turner, other officials encourage people, especially communities of color, to set aside reluctance, get COVID vaccine
Giuseppe Colasurdo, president of UTHealth, opened the news conference asking people to have patience when it comes to getting the vaccine. That group includes those over 65 and people 16 and older dealing with certain health issues. Turner emphasized the importance of getting the vaccine and how impactful it is for leaders to set an example for the communities. Many people in communities of color, and other communities, are reluctant to get the vaccine, Turner said. Coleman said he wants people who have health issues to see him getting the vaccine and feel encouraged to get it.
UT Health, Memorial Hermann doctors save dying man with coronavirus by performing rare double lung transplant
THE WOODLANDS, Texas โ UT Health and Memorial Hermann are the first in Texas to perform a double lung transplant that saved the life of a man suffering from COVID-19. He is a retired construction worker who lived with diabetes and had no other underlying health conditions, according to Memorial Hermann. Last month, Dr. Jyothula and a team from UT Health performed the double lung transplant one day after Medellin went on the waiting list, according to Memorial Hermann. According to UT Health, he immediately began physical therapy and thriving in good health. While itโs a phenomenal operation, Dr. Jyothula said he never wants to have to do a double lung transplant because of this virus again.