Congressman Gonzalez Urges Governor Abbott to Designate City of Schertz EMS as Vaccine Hub

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, February 17, 2021, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) sent a letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott asking him to designate City of Schertz Emergency Management Services (EMS) as a vaccine hub.

Currently, the City of Schertz EMS has the capacity to administer at least 1,000 vaccines per day, but lacks the vaccine supply. Congressman Gonzalez urged Governor Abbott to increase vaccine resources to the city.

"The City of Schertz has the logistical capability and a plan to administer vaccines to the people of Guadalupe County," said Congressman Gonzalez. "I urge the Governor to consider allocating additional vaccines to the City of Schertz EMS and allow for them to vaccinate more people. It's important that we make the vaccine accessible and get them in the arms of vulnerable populations as quickly as possible."

The full letter is available here and below:

February 17, 2021

The Honorable Greg Abbott

Governor

State of Texas

P.O. Box 12428

Austin, TX 78711

Dear Governor Abbott,

First and foremost, I would like to thank you and your staff for your diligent work in administering over 4 million vaccines doses in the state of Texas.

I write today to urge you to supply the City of Schertz Emergency Management Services (EMS) with enough COVID-19 vaccine doses to serve as a hub vaccine provider as supply becomes increasingly predictable. The City of Schertz, and residents in surrounding areas, would benefit immensely from receiving consistent amounts of the vaccine. The city has the capacity and staff necessary to administer a minimum of 1,000 vaccines per day. The City of SchertzEMS has already provided vaccines to residents from Bexar, Travis, Harris, Comal, and Guadalupe Counties, and increasing their vaccine allocations will benefit many Central Texans.

Though there are two vaccine hubs in Travis County, one in Hays County, and three in Bexar County, their primary focus is not providing the COVID-19 vaccine to Guadalupe County residents. The two hubs in Travis County are over an hour drive for many of the people who would and have been making use of the City of Schertz EMS to get their vaccine. Bexar County is currently focused on distributing the COVID-19 vaccine to over two million San Antonians in Bexar County, while Hays receives less than 2,000 doses per week for their own residents.

Allocating these resources to the City of Schertz EMS would support vaccine providers in surrounding counties while also providing aid and relief to the rural communities in Guadalupe County. With the proper amount of vaccines, the City of Schertz EMS can serve as a hub. This designation will enable us to vaccinate Texans more effectively and efficiently so we may overcome COVID-19. I thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Vicente Gonzalez

Member of Congress