Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center could be turned into a storage location for COVID-19 vaccines, according to City of Dallas plans to distribute the shots.
The City of Dallas broke down its distribution process into three phases:
- Phase 1 trials: Testing safety and dosage
- Phase 2 trials: Expanded safety trial
- Phase 3 trials: Large-scale efficacy trial
Information obtained from Phase 3 will tell the city if the vaccine will need to be administered yearly. So far, none of the vaccine manufacturers have reported any deaths or adverse reactions, Dallas officials said.
A vaccine from Moderna and a vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech are the two candidates that will potentially be distributed in Dallas. All companies have applied for an Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention held an emergency meeting on Tuesday and will eventually deliver national guidance on vaccine distribution.
A panel on the Texas Department of State Health Services will determine priority for distribution in Texas. The panel's recommendations will be submitted to the Texas Health Commissioner for approval.
The first doses of any vaccine will be in "extremely limited supply," according to Dallas. The city's first group of people who will be prioritized are frontline healthcare workers, including EMS.
The vaccine would be distributed under the Food and Drug Administration's Emergency Use Authorization, meaning no person is required to take the vaccine.
The City of Dallas has applied to be a COVID-19 vaccine provider. If the city receives vaccine doses, Dallas may utilize trained Dallas Fire-Rescue paramedics as immunizers.
The city's vaccine distribution working group includes:
- Office of Emergency Management
- Dallas Fire-Rescue
- Dallas Police Department
- Dallas County Health and Human Services
- Care ATC
- City Attorney’s Office
- Human Resources
- Procurement Services
The city's expert consultants include:
- Dr. Philip Huang, Director, Dallas County Health & Human Services
- Dr. Kelvin Baggett, COVID-19 Health & Healthcare Access Czar
- Dr. Trish Perl, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
- Dr. Jenna Wimberly, Parkland Health & Hospital System
- Dr. Alexander Eastman, Department of Homeland Security, Dallas Police
- Ruby Blum, Office of County Judge Clay Jenkins
Storage requirements for some vaccines are complex and will require ultra-cold storage.
Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center may be utilized as a static location for the receipt, storage, and administration of the vaccine. This facility was chosen due to its ample space for social distancing, 24-hour security and already existing refrigeration facilities.
