Vaccinations in Orange County as well as surrounding counties in southeast Texas have been in short supply since the vaccines became available. The low population numbers for Orange County and the region has been the primary reason for the limited doses made available locally.
Orange County Emergency Management Coordinator Joel Ardoin said there is a possibility of creating a Regional Trauma Center similar to what was created when COVID-19 tests were done as the pandemic started last year. Ardoin met last week with other representatives in the six-county region to submit a request to the state.
Texas does require that a Regional Trauma Center serve at least 500,000 citizens. The trauma center must also administer 2,000 doses of the vaccine each day.
Jefferson County alone is about half the size of the 500,000 population requirement. Ardoin is hopeful Texas will approve the request since the six counties combine should meet the stipulation of 500,000 citizens and be able to administer the required 2,000 doses a day.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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