El Paso health department receives 1,100 more virus vaccines; shots to be given out Wednesday

EL PASO, Texas — The El Paso Department of Public Health said Tuesday night it had just received an additional 1,100 Moderna Covid-19 vaccinations that it planned to distribute immediately.

On Wednesday, health and emergency management officials said they would be giving out new shots to those at highest risk for contracting the virus - which includes first-responders, the elderly and those with critical health issues.

Individuals selected for a vaccine appointments come from the city's pre-registration list, officials indicated, and are notified by the city.

City leaders continued to encourage those eligible to register now online so that you are on the list for future vaccine availability as current supplies are very limited.

"We need to push out the patience that is going to be necessary," City Manager Tommy Gonzalez told a meeting of the City Council earlier Tuesday.

"I know people who are pre-registering are saying 'I'm on the list when am I going to get called?' It won't be until we get that vaccine that they'll get that call," Gonzalez explained.

He told council members that the city was expecting to receive a total of more than 13,000 additional vaccines by week's end.

Gonzalez also said more than 47,000 people have pre-registered to be vaccinated, but some 20 percent of those who signed up aren't currently eligible to receive a shot.

As of Tuesday, the city said it had vaccinated nearly 17,000 people thus far.

Officials said the city has the capacity to administer up to 11,000 doses a day, but indicated the vaccine roll-out from the state has been slow.