Razorback Gym becomes vaccination site
TEXARKANA, Ark.— Most of the square footage of Arkansas High School’s Razorback Gymnasium became a temporary medical clinic Saturday for residents seeking to get the first of two COVID-19 vaccinations.
Starting at 9 a.m., residents, age 65 and older, brought not only proof of their age but also of their occupations as they streamed into the gym to receive immunization against the coronavirus.
Dr. Cody Turner, a pharmacist with the College Hill Drug Store, said about 400 people received their first COVID shot during the first five hours of the eight hours allotted for the vaccines Saturday.
“Traffic has been reasonably steady, but we made sure that we were ready if we had swarms of people come through here,” Turner said. “We were prepared to be able to get each person through the process in 20 minutes at a minimum.”
Turner added that preparations included having at least 200 chairs available for those who came.
“Right now, we’re trying to get as many people their first shot as possible, in order to have them come back next month for their second shot.”
Besides having to show proof of being 65 and older — the age requirement — Turner said Saturday’s patient influx also had to show proof of their occupation for employment verification as stated by the governor’s office. This requirement was aimed at making sure those people most exposed to COVID19 receive their shots first. Some of those occupations included educators, poultry producers, public safety first responders and health care workers.
Turner went on to say that those who received their first shot Saturday would leave having the paperwork they will need next month for their second vaccine dose. Those returning will still need their driver’s license and health insurance cards.