Fort Bliss vaccinations up only 1% in week since commander’s push

FORT BLISS, Texas -- Fort Bliss officials are in the midst of trying to get their military population vaccinated so they can start loosening Covid-19 restrictions on the post.

According to a U.S. Army spokesperson, as of Thursday the vaccination rate had reached 24.1%.

That’s an increase of just slightly over one percent following a town hall meeting a week ago where Major Gen. Sean Bernabe, the Fort Bliss commander, spoke about the need to get people on post vaccinated and said it was his top priority.

That Fort Bliss vaccination rate encompasses people who have received at least one dose of the vaccine; it wasn't clear how many have received both doses and are fully vaccinated.

Bernabe said last week that when the post reaches a 33% vaccination rate, he will start loosening pandemic restrictions imposed at Fort Bliss.

And when the vaccination rate hits 50%, Bernabe said personnel will then be able to go off post and eat at restaurants in El Paso, something that is currently prohibited.