The city of Pharr announced Friday it will be administering the COVID-19 vaccine to its elderly citizens on Saturday.
The event, which the city is calling “Operation Senior Care,” will see Pharr EMTs visiting the homes of senior residents who are homebound, bedridden, or physically unable to attend vaccination clinics. The EMTs, who will be joined by firefighters, police and emergency communications personnel, will administer the vaccine to Pharr’s elderly citizens who have previously registered with the city.
“Our senior citizens are the most vulnerable in our population and we understand that it can be difficult for them to attend a vaccination clinic,” Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez said in a news release. “As a medical professional, they are one of our greatest concerns and I am glad that our City Commission, administration, and employees are all working together to lead the charge to ensure that our seniors are able to get the vaccine from the comfort of their homes.”
The first responders will be administering 200 vaccines to the senior citizens who have already pre-registered and have a home visit appointment scheduled.
The vaccines have been transferred from Doctors Hospital at Renaissance to Pharr, which just received state approval to become a vaccine provider.
“This is a major operation and the first of its kind to be launched in the Rio Grande Valley,” Pharr Commissioner Ramiro Caballero said in the news release. “We are proud to partner with DHR, our EMTs, and City of Pharr employees to ensure that local senior citizens get the COVID-19 vaccine.
“As a doctor caring for one of our most vulnerable populations, I know how important an opportunity like this is for our elderly who cannot physically attend a clinic,” he continued. “The City of Pharr will continue to work effectively, efficiently, and expediently to make the vaccine available in our community.”
Operation Senior Care is scheduled to begin Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
