Austin Public Health Launches Pilot Vaccine Site At Toney Burger

AUSTIN, TX — Austin Public Health is planning to launch a drive-thru vaccination site at Toney Burger Activity Center in South Austin on Saturday, news outlets report.

KUT Austin reported Thursday plans for the pilot program aren't yet finalized; however, the health department expects to administer 1,200 doses of the Moderna vaccine.

The news outlet said the site will help improve accessibility and will provide access for people in different parts of the city.

Vaccines will be available by appointment only at the site, though those appointments can’t be scheduled until Austin Public Health has the pilot operation fully set up, KUT Austin reports.

Jen Samp, a spokesperson for the agency, told the news outlet Thursday those who do get an appointment will be expected to arrive within an hour of their scheduled time, wear a mask and show proof of their appointment in the form of a text or e-mail, unless the health department has been in contact with them by phone.

Drivers will stay in their vehicles the entire time, Samp said. She warns that other people in the vehicle will not get a dose unless they also have an appointment.

The news outlet reports initial plans are for the site to run on Saturdays. The health department may also scale up the number of available doses based on the success of the pilot.

This may reduce vaccine availability at other sites unless the department is allotted more vaccines from the state. The agency typically receives about 12,000 first doses each week, plus an adequate number of second doses.

Read more at KUT Austin

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