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1. Why is Allen Fire Department not using the County's wait list to administer vaccines?

Allen Fire Department established its notification list and process prior to the launch of the Collin County portal, and hoped to maintain the integrity of that list of subscribers and honor the process originally established (to serve as notification of vaccine availability with access to online appointments), as they believed it would be the fastest way to begin administering the vaccine. 

As the primary goal is to distribute vaccines as quickly as possible, by using a “first-come, first served” appointment process, we are able to start scheduling and administering shots within hours of receiving vaccine deliveries. This allows us to devote our resources to giving vaccines rather than needing dedicated staff to schedule thousands of individual appointments moving down a priority list if someone doesn’t reply in a timely manner. 

By prioritizing speed, we are able to ultimately provide greater protection to all residents by improving community immunity for all, whether you have received your shot yet or not. Using all shots quickly also helps us justify requests for larger and more frequent vaccine allotments when requesting new doses from state distributors, leading to greater availability in our region.

2. Who qualifies to get a vaccine?

Vaccines are distributed only to Phase 1A and Phase 1B qualifying groups at this time, per Texas guidelines. Allen Fire Department cannot make judgements or use a person’s health data to assess priority to some individuals over others.

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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

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

In addition to Allen Fire Department, Collin County has five state-designated distribution hubs offering vaccinations by appointment only. Hubs marked with an asterisk (*) are scheduling appointments using the Collin County Waitlist:

• Baylor Scott & White Health (The Star in Frisco)*
• Collin County Healthcare Services (John Clark Stadium, Plano)*
• Frisco Fire Department (Stonebriar Center, Frisco)
• McKinney Fire Department (McKinney ISD football stadium)*
• Texas Health Resources (Sam Johnson Recreation Center, Plano)*

Increasingly, vaccines are also available at local pharmacies, hospitals, and county health departments. A map of providers is listed on the Texas DSHS website and may be downloaded in an accessible spreadsheet. Additional pharmacies are participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.

Hospital networks

• Baylor Scott & White

Pharmacies

• CVS
• Kroger
• Tom Thumb
• Wal-Mart
• Walgreens

County Health Departments

• Dallas County
• Denton County
• Tarrant County

9. 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 during the time period specified on your appointment/ticket confirmation. 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.

10. 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. State distribution hubs, including Allen Fire Department, are required to serve all Texans regardless of their place of residency.

11. If I received my first shot from AFD, what is the process for receiving the second dose?

We will contact you via email, text or phone call to remind you to schedule your second shot. If you have received your first shot from Allen Fire Department, do not unsubscribe from our email appointment alerts until receiving your second shot or scheduling it elsewhere. If you have already unsubscribed, please return to this page to sign up again. If you are due for your second shot within 3 days and have not yet heard from us, please contact our COVID-19 Helpline at 214.509.4333 or email helpline@cityofallen.org. 

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.

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

Yes, though you will likely be competing with many others who are attempting to scheduled their first dose. Until the vaccine is more widely available, it is recommended that you attempt 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.

13. How many vaccines has AFD distributed so far?

As of March 2, 2021, Allen Fire Department has administered 26,777 total doses of the COVID-19 vaccine: 22,106 first doses and 4,671 second doses.

14. 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.

15. How soon can I receive my second shot?

The currently authorized vaccines to prevent COVID-19 in the United States require 2 shots to get the most protection:   

• Pfizer-BioNTech doses should be given 3 weeks (21 days) apart    
• Moderna doses should be given 1 month (28 days) apart

You should get your second shot as close to the recommended 3-week or 1-month interval as possible. However, there is no maximum interval between the first and second doses for either vaccine. You should not get the second dose earlier than the recommended interval.

Allen Fire Department will not administer your second shot unless it has been at least 21 days (Pfizer) or 28 days (Moderna) since your first dose.