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Home My WebLink About(0004) IR 21-10662 - CD Vaccination Rates.City of Fort Worth StrategiesINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10662 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council September 21, 2021 Page 1 of 3 a SUBJECT: COUNCIL DISTRICT VACCINATION RATES AND CITY OF FORT r VA WORTH STRATEGIES �e7'� r Background In December 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began approving emergency use authorization of COVID-19 vaccines. The City of Fort Worth collaborated with vaccine providers such as Tarrant County Public Health, Denton County Public Health and the City of Burleson to provide vaccines to the community. The period of January — April 2021 showed high, initial public demand for vaccine. However, by May 2021, public demand for vaccines dropped dramatically across the U.S. The City of Fort Worth became a stand- alone provider in May 2021 to utilize a variety of community -based strategies to increase options for residents and to streamline the vaccination process. As of August 31, 2021, with over 2.11M doses given (1st and 2Id doses) in Tarrant County by all providers, the total vaccination rate in Fort Worth is 44.2% (1st doses) and 37.7% (fully -vaccinated). Council 1st Dose 2nd Dose District 2 42.5% 35.9% 3 50.7 % 44.4% 4 46.8% 40.6% 5 41.4% 35.1% 6 49.9% 43.3% 7 46.0% 40.2% 8 40.3% 33.0% 9 53.3% 45.3% Table shows vaccination rates by City Council District as of August 31, 2021. Initial Vaccination Strategies — Mass Vaccination Sites Initially, the City of Fort Worth collaborated with community partners to support mass vaccination sites. One static location is the Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex which initially opened in collaboration with Tarrant County Public Health on January 6, 2021 as a dedicated location for all first responders in the greater Fort Worth community. This site later expanded to become a public location to assist with meeting demand. More than 43,000 vaccine doses have been administered at this site as of August 31, 2021. Mass, drive -through locations were also advocated by City of Fort Worth staff. Staff supported operations at the Texas Motor Speedway location when the site operated from February 6 — May 14, 2021. The site administered over 340,000 vaccine doses during its operational period. Recognizing the need for a drive -through location closer to central Fort Worth and inside of Interstate Loop 820, staff designed and implemented a mass vaccination site in collaboration with Fort Worth ISD and Tarrant County Public Health at Billingsley Field House/Farrington Field. This site was operated from February 26 — May 5, 2021. The site administered approximately 75,000 vaccine doses during its operational period. Diversifying Vaccination Strategies In response to the decreased demand, the City of Fort Worth elected to diversify vaccination strategies to maximize access to all residents. The city incorporated the Luminare Innoculate software system for vaccine management which offered a paperless system which uses QR codes to maximize efficiency. The process allows for 1st, 2nd and 3rd (booster) doses for all eligible individuals. Staff recognized the need to offer vaccines from places of trust, like churches, and in places where people congregate, such as markets. Local organizations were also encouraged to host vaccination sites. Locations offered space, and city staff provided logistic support and conducted the events as turn -key operations. This process involved collaborating and complimenting strategies with other providers in the ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10662 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council September 21, 2021 1� Page 2of3 aVA SUBJECT: COUNCIL DISTRICT VACCINATION RATES AND CITY OF FORT WORTH STRATEGIES 1er3 community to limit overlap in neighborhoods and to maximize outreach. These partners included Tarrant County Public Health, Texas Health Resources, JPS and others. Vaccine Distribution and Strategies Over Time Vaccination Operations January - August 7m,mg 17s,mg 19o,mg 1xs,mo 1m,mo ' 75,791 75,Om sgom 2�.9m 9,184 MarcR - 3=0] ""I220 A,. May June Jofy •gob &den farrng[m Fi9tl •TX Mo[orgycetlrvz� •Roving 5i4s cc-tic. Hcme -d Vaccination Operations May - August z.� 750 1,712 .500 1,250 1,000 1su 59] aFa 500 250 206 L 2fi5 193223ll1 L I 64 Sl -3 as U& Km July Au 1 •ndAk&.n ■Rnvirg Sttex Pepu"s •IFnmehnunl Graphs show distribution of'vaccines over time, by month, and account for various strategies used. The 155 detailed bar graph for May does not show 1, 061 �n vaccine doses given at Farrington Field. One-time vaccination events known as pop-up clinics were offered with community partners. among the first to encourage local businesses, faith -based organizations and others to host pop-up clinics. To date, the city has offered 55 pop-up clinics, resulting in over 800 vaccine doses being administered. Even during the ice storm of February 2021, staff was administering vaccines. Staff partnered with JPS to hold a pop-up clinic at the Fort Worth Convention Center. At that time, the center was serving as a winter storm shelter for those experiencing homelessness and those without utility service. Based on the success of the roving testing team, a roving vaccine team was established. This team travels to 8 locations in the city following a Tuesday -Friday schedule. This team conducts operations at one site in the morning and a second site in the afternoon. To date, the roving vaccination team has administered more than 750 doses. In August 2021, some locations began offering both tests and vaccines in response to community need. To meet residents where they are, staff has hosted several special events and partnerships throughout the city. Special event vaccinations have been hosted at La Gran Plaza Mall, large public events, markets, and homeless shelters. Weekend options were The city was Figure shows the active and past Fort Worth and Tarrant County vaccination site locations. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10662 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council September 21, 2021 p,AT1� Page 3 of 3 a SUBJECT: COUNCIL DISTRICT VACCINATION RATES AND CITY OF FORT r "' WORTH STRATEGIES er� offered in May 2021, when Pfizer was initialy authorized for use by persons between 12 and 17 years olds. In August 2021, weekend options were provided to support back -to -school planning. Serving the entire community, even outside of Fort Worth, the city has also been a leader in homebound vaccinations for those that cannot leave their residence. This effort was initiated in May 2021 as a collaboration with Kroger Health and the City of Burleson. It began with Johnson & Johnson vaccines only. The operation grew to offer Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, as well. Between May 2021 and August 31, 2021, City staff has scheduled, coordinated and administered almost 200 vaccine doses to homebound individuals collaborating with Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County and Tarrant Co. Public Health for this model homebound vaccination program. Education, Outreach and Neighborhood Canvassing The City of Fort Worth was among the first to begin door-to- door canvassing which began in late April 2021. For reference, the City of Dallas and the U.S. federal government announced door-to-door canvassing in July 2021. As of August 31, 2021, City staff had visited approximately 38,000 homes. The city continues to offer diverse, well -planned education and outreach materials with excellent media coverage and developed partnerships. Over 100,000 packets with vaccine information have been distributed to businesses, events, homes, libraries, places of worship, and other gathering locations. Future Strategies Because of the diverse needs of the community, there is no single strategy that works best. It has taken a wide array of clinic types and education strategies to meet residents where they are and to assist them with the vaccination process. In September 2021, it is anticipated that demand for the vaccine 3rd dose (booster shot) will cause an increase in vaccine site use. City staff continues to work with partners to develop opportunities to meet demand. Figure shows the area covered through door-to-door outreach efforts. Vaccine access information and fact sheets were offered to support informed decision -making. Anyone needing assistance with a vaccine can visit www.fortworthtexas.gov/covidshot to make an appointment or call the hotline at: (817) 392-8478 for assistance. Questions on this material should be addressed to Brandon Bennett, Code Compliance Director at 817- 392-6322. David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS