The Board of Directors of the Dallas Park and Recreation passed a resolution supporting Federal, State, and Local efforts to provide the COVID-19 vaccine.
The resolution falls short of making requirements on employees or visitors to receive the vaccine, instead stating that the Board “supports and recommends staff and their families who want to get the vaccine to stay healthy and prevent the spread of infection.”
The resolution is the first by the Board addressing COVID-19 vaccinations. It is meant to indicate that the Board will follow the directives of other governmental agencies and help offer community support through partnerships with local health agencies. Current numbers suggest that around 53% of the entire population of Texas is fully vaccinated.
“Dallas Park and Recreation Department professionals understand the importance of staying healthy. Every day, they are in our communities promoting health and wellness activities to park and facility users through fitness programs, nutrition education, and encouraging play outdoors,” Arun Agarwal, President of the Dallas Parks and Rec Board, said.
“As a Board, we encourage employees and their families to get vaccinated. We need them to be safe so they can keep our communities safe. If even one additional person gets vaccinated, then we have done our part in protecting and bringing families and communities together.”
The Federal Government approved the vaccine for children between the ages of five and eleven this week, and as reported by the Dallas Express, the first shipment of doses has been received in Dallas County.
The doses will be administered in around 50 percent of counties in the state. The new group of eligible children could result in a total need of approximately 3.9 million doses. The first doses were administered on Oct. 4 at the Dallas Stemmons Immunization Clinic.
COVID numbers have been declining in the Dallas area in recent weeks. Numbers released by the County of Dallas on November 3 indicate a one-day total of 267 new cases. The previous single-day count, posted on November 1, identified a total of 529 new cases.
“We were pleased to vaccinate the first Dallas County children between the ages of 5 and 11 today at Dallas County Health and Human Services,” said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins in a press release. “More opportunities for vaccination of children 5 and up and adults will be available at county locations and at various pharmacies and clinics.”
The Dallas Park and Recreation Department operates several health and wellness programs to promote vaccinations throughout the county. They offer drive-through health clinics for seniors over 60. The drive-through events are free and are meant to improve vaccination rates among the most sensitive segment of the population.
Vaccination levels in Dallas County for those over the age of 65 are currently reported at 91 percent. Nearly 344,000 Dallas residents have been infected with COVID and a total of 5,021 residents have died.
Dallas County Health and Human Services, and the Dallas Park and Rec Department administered more than 500,000 vaccine doses during the Fair Park mega-vaccine clinic between January 11 and July 17.