HOUSTON – Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center is partnering with Texas Southern University to hold a coronavirus vaccine clinic located at the TSU campus in Houston’s Third Ward.
According to Vanessa Astros, spokeswoman for St. Luke’s Health, the appointment-only clinic is expected to be fully operational by Monday.
During a news conference Thursday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said it is vital that the vaccine is distributed to everyone, but especially to the people who have been “disproportionately affected” by the virus.
“When you see communities that have been underserved and under-resourced for decades operating at the margins ... and now here comes this virus and it is impacting them even more, the question is, how to we provide them with the support they need to survive and then to move forward,” Turner said. “In order for that to take place, it requires collaboration. That’s why I am so thankful for what is taking place (here).”
Turner said having the vaccine clinic in the Third Ward community makes a huge difference so people can easily walk, drive or take the bus to get their vaccine.
The vaccination effort will concentrate on people described as “super seniors,” meaning 75 and older, other at-risk populations and ethnic minorities who meet the state’s guidelines for the vaccine.
People who qualify to receive the vaccine under the current guidelines can join the St. Luke’s waiting list at stlukeshealth.org. Those who sign up and are qualified to receive the vaccine will be contacted about making an appointment, Astros said.
St. Luke’s Health is not offering walk-in vaccinations at any location.