COVID 19 vaccine

Appointments fill up within minutes at Minute Maid Park vaccination mega site

Friday, January 15, 2021

2 Houston mega-vaccination sites eyed, but time needed

The city of Houston moved vaccination efforts to Minute Maid Park where 3,600 shots were given. There are plans for mega-sites, but as the video shows, there are issues before getting to those plans.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- COVID-19 vaccination appointments filled up within 20 minutes of the announcement being made that slots were available for Saturday, Jan. 16 at Minute Maid Park, which is serving as a mega site.

The Houston Health Department said Friday that it was able to offer about 2,600 new appointments for those who meet Phase 1A or 1B of state criteria.

The portal opened at 10 a.m.

Eighteen minutes later, the slots were filled. The department said it plans to announce more opportunities as supply increases.

The same thing happened last weekend when Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros, first became a vaccination site.

Last Saturday, all 1,000 new appointments were filled shortly after they were added.

WATCH: Houston city leaders outline plan to widen vaccine availability

The COVID-19 vaccine capacity continues to grow while appointments fill up quickly. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner outlines the Houston Health Department's efforts so far.

The department partnered with the Astros Foundation to operate the landmark as a COVID-19 vaccination site, but it's open only to people who already have their appointments scheduled.

"This couldn't happen without the volunteer efforts," Twila Carter with the Astros Foundation said. "It's just great to be at Minute Maid Park here today to hear the buzz of people, you know. We're ready to get baseball back in action here, and the only way we can do that is getting everybody the vaccines."