WACO, Texas — The Waco-McLennan County Public Health Department is set to resume offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to area residents starting next week, according to McLennan County Judge Scott Felton.
Felton made the announcement Wednesday afternoon as Waco and McLennan County leaders met to discuss the latest developments on COVID-19 in the county along vaccine supply and distribution.
"This is very good news for our community," Felton said. "It gives us another option for our communities to choose a vaccine that they'd want to take."
The news comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration recommended vaccine providers resume offering the J&J vaccine Friday. Use of the one-dose vaccine use was first paused April 13 pending a review of reported blood clots.
The Texas Department of State Health Services followed suit and notified providers the vaccine could be administered days after the CDC and FDA announcement.
Kelly Craine with the health district previously told 6 News they were working out the logistics of possibly offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to provide people a choice.
Felton added that the health department is collaborating with businesses and nonprofits to organize more vaccination clinics and that a few are coming up in the next few days and weeks.
The next public vaccination clinic will be held this Saturday at Second Missionary Baptist Church, 2001 Dallas Street, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but those interested can also register by calling 254-750-1890.
Felton said more community vaccination clinics are being planned, with one on May 15 at the Waco Housing Authority and another at the upcoming Juneteenth celebration. Details on those clinics have not yet been released.
At this time, the county health district continues to provide the Moderna vaccine at its distribution hub, which currently doesn't have an appointment waitlist, officials said.
He also reported that just over 27 percent of the eligible population in the county is fully vaccinated while around 36.5 percent have gotten one dose of the vaccine.
"I cannot encourage our community enough that the COVID vaccine is the best tool to protect yourself from COVID-19 as well as your family and your community," Felton said.
The virus continues to spread through the community, Dr. Jackson Griggs with the Family Health Center said. He specified that there is a "relatively low" transmission rate, especially when compared to U.S. and state virus spread data. He said the low rate has held steady for the last eight weeks.