COVID-19 vaccination clinic reaches Los Fresnos

Updated: January 23, 2021

The antivirus battle was brought to Los Fresnos Wednesday, January 13, 2021, as more than 2,000 vaccines were available to area residents.

By Tony Vindell

The battle against the Covid-19 virus has been intensifying as thousands of vaccines have been given to people working in the health care industry, first responders, people who are 65 years old and above and those with underlying conditions.

The antivirus battle was brought to Los Fresnos on Wednesday, Jan. 13 as more than 2,000 vaccines were available to area residents.

The vaccination clinic was held from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the city’s Emergency Medical Services/Fire Department headquarters on Rodeo Drive.

Several hundred vehicles could be seen parked across from the building early Tuesday afternoon.

City Manager Mark Milum said the county contacted the city earlier about hosting a clinic.

The initial plant was to hold the event on Friday, Jan. 15, but that changed as the vaccines arrived earlier than anticipated.

A second clinic took place Friday, Jan. 15 at the Brownsville Sports Complex.

The changes in plans drew complaints from area residents because as it was a last-minute decision.

However, the most important thing is that some 5,000 additional vaccines were available.

Los Fresnos and Brownsville clinics followed the first mass vaccination campaign held in Cameron County and up 2,000 people received the anti-virus shots.

The campaign was held on Jan. 8 at Casa del Sol in Harlingen and it was organized by the county’s Public Health Department and the city.

Initially, 1,000 Moderna vaccines were on track to be administered, but another 1,000 shots were confirmed to arrive by about 10 a.m. on the day of the mass vaccination.

Among those receiving a shot was Corinne Acuna of Brownsville.

“I got in line since 5 a.m. today,” she said, while waiting for the suggested 15 minutes observation after a shot was given. “

Acuna said it was worth waiting for five hours.

“I wasn’t sure I was going to get a shot but I got it,” she said with a sigh of relief. “And if I didn’t I would have tried again.”

Narciso Lopez, an employee with the Cameron County Health Department, said some people asked about the side effects of the vaccine.

“Other than that,” said the Los Fresnos resident, “everything went smoothly.”

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