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1. Who qualifies to get a vaccine?

Allen Fire Department must follow Texas guidelines to distribute vaccines to priority groups first. Individuals who meet requirements provided by the state’s Phase 1A and Phase 1B definitions are currently eligible to receive the vaccine.

Phase 1A definitions include:

• Front-line hospital workers
• Long-term care staff, including custodial and food service staff
• Emergency response personnel
• Home health workers
• Residents of long-term care facilities

Phase 1B definitions include:

• People 65 years of age and older
• People 16 years of age and older (or 18 years and older if receiving the Moderna vaccine) with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to:
  • Cancer
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
  • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
  • Solid organ transplantation
  • Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus

2. How do I make a vaccine appointment through Allen Fire Department?

Vaccination appointments will be offered to individuals in qualifying priority groups who are enrolled in Allen Fire Department’s vaccine appointment alerts. You will receive notifications as the state allows each priority group to be served and Allen Fire Department has vaccines available.

Before making an appointment, make sure you are included in current priority group(s) specified in the notification. You may be asked to bring identifying documents, such as a work badge or other employment verification, upon confirmation of your appointment.

3. Why require a reservation/ticket?

Reservations/”ticketing” helps us manage the large number of appointments required during the vaccine distribution process. COVID-19 vaccines are always free; however, you MUST make a reservation/secure a ticket in order to enter the vaccine distribution line.

4. Are there any special circumstances that would allow an individual to request an appointment without going through the notification and online scheduling system?

No, Allen Fire Department requires all individuals to sign up through the online scheduling system. The process was created to give rapid online access to vaccine appointments to all individuals included in current priority groups specified by state guidelines We know the appointment process can be frustrating while vaccine demand is high and availability is low. As more vaccines are available, there will be other opportunities and processes for vaccinations in our area.

5. I just received an appointment alert. Why am I having trouble getting an appointment?

Vaccine supply is very limited compared to the list of people who have signed up for appointment alerts. The reservation system processes actions (e.g. the steps to reserve an appointment) on a first come, first basis. You will be unable to complete the appointment process if other users are further along in submitting appointment information for the same time slot.

6. Can you provide more advance notice on COVID vaccine availability?

Though Allen Fire Department (AFD) receives some advance notice of future vaccine allotments, delivery schedules are subject to change and temperature fluctuations during the delivery process may make the vaccines unusable. To avoid the possibility of canceled or rescheduled appointments, AFD begins scheduling appointments as soon as vaccines are delivered and temperature-checked to assure viability.

Appointment times are scheduled the same day as vaccine arrival and continue over the next few days depending on the number of doses available. No time is wasted to begin the vaccination process and no vaccines are saved or unused.

While vaccine supplies are limited, email notification to those signed up for alerts will be the only means to inform of vaccine availability. Register for vaccine appointment alerts.

7. Are there other distribution sites in Allen or nearby?

Yes,  these can be found on the state distribution map. However, all sites have limited supplies for the time being, and most sites will require appointments for vaccinations.

Local vaccination sites that provide information about vaccine availability and sign-up information are listed below:

• Allen Fire Department – Find out more
• Dallas County HHS (Fair Park Mega Center) - Find out more
• Texas Health Resources – Find out more
• Tom Thumb – Find out more
• Medical Center of McKinney – Find out more
• Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Find out more

State directives are evolving to find the quickest and most efficient ways to distribute and vaccinate larger numbers of individuals in the current priority groups, including the use of vaccine “mega centers.” We will provide information and updates about vaccine availability in Allen and Collin County as we know it.

8. What should I expect on the day of my appointment?

COVID-19 vaccine appointments will be offered through Allen Fire Department based on the quantities of vaccines available. Walk-ins are not accepted. Once your appointment is scheduled, you will receive details about where to go and what to bring. On the day of your appointment, please:

• Wear a face covering and clothing that provides easy access to your upper arm, such as a short sleeve or sleeveless shirt.
• Arrive right at your appointment time. Parking may be limited. We are unable to reschedule missed appointments.
• Present a printed copy of your appointment/ticket -OR- digital appointment/ticket confirmation. If receiving the shot due to your health care worker (Phase 1A) status, be prepared to show your workplace I.D.
• Expect your appointment to take 20-30 minutes, including a mandatory 15-minute monitoring period immediately after the vaccine is given.

9. Do I have to get my vaccination in the city or county where I live?

You do not have to get your vaccination in the city/county where you reside; however, some distribution sites may prioritize vaccine distribution to residents first.

10. I received my first vaccination from Allen Fire Department. How do I arrange to receive the second dose?

We will contact you via email, text or phone call to remind you to schedule your second shot. We are committed to prioritizing second shots for everyone who received their first shot from us. (In other words, you won’t have to compete with those seeking first shots while scheduling your second appointment.) However, vaccine distribution is sometimes unpredictable and may be subject to manufacturing or delivery delays. If those occur, we’ll tell you as soon as possible. You may schedule your second shot with a different provider if preferred.

11. I received my first vaccination at a different location. Can I receive my second dose from Allen Fire Department?

Texas allocates second doses based on where people received the first dose. Though you are permitted to get a second dose anywhere that offers it, the place you received your first dose should automatically reserve your second, or "booster" dose at the same location. Until the vaccine is more widely available, it is recommended that you make plans to receive the second shot at the same location as the first. Keep in mind that you must get two doses of the same vaccine to reach maximum immunity; if you received the Pfizer vaccine as your first shot, you must schedule an appointment to receive the same brand of vaccine for your second or "booster" shot.

12. How many vaccines has AFD distributed so far?

Allen Fire Department received its first allotment of COVID-19 vaccines on December 28, 2020. Updates will be posted as each vaccine allotment is depleted.

Doses/Date Received	Doses/Date Depleted	Groups Served
300 Moderna Doses (1/5/2021)	319 Doses* (1/6/2021)	Phases 1A and 1B
200 Moderna Doses (12/28/2020)	211 Doses* (12/30/2020)	Phase 1A

_{*As experienced by many other vaccine providers, some of Allen Fire Department’s vials contained extra doses.}

13. What information is available about COVID-19 vaccines?

Find information for COVID-19 vaccination administration and patient education for each specific vaccine on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.