The cold weather has prompted a temporary halt of COVID-19 vaccine shipments from the state, Hidalgo County officials announced in a news release Wednesday.
The county now plans on prioritizing second dose inoculations that were scheduled this week.
“Once again, we are facing a new challenge in what has been some very challenging times,” Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez said in a statement, which explains that state officials control the distribution of the vaccine supply. “But we will get through this.”
It’s unclear whether shipments are on-hold for hospital systems, which are also vaccine providers.
“As vaccine manufacturers have been ramping up production, the state had begun providing several thousand doses to Hidalgo County for 1st dose vaccinations,” the county said in the release. “They would also typically provide an equal amount for 2nd dose vaccines.”
Problems have also been attributed to airport closures and road conditions impacting the distribution chain.
In the meantime, the county plans to complete some of the first dose distributions and “has committed to complete” distribution of second doses.
Afterward, only second doses at county clinics will be available the rest of the week.
“As always, we ask that people remain patient,” Cortez said in the release. “We will eventually have vaccines available to everyone who wants them.”
Next week’s vaccine allocations have not been finalized with the state, the county further stated.
