BEAUMONT, Texas — Lamar University is applying to get and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine sometime next year.
Shelly Vitanza, a Lamar University spokesperson, told 12News Lamar's Student Health Center has already met with the state and Beaumont Emergency Management to find out what the requirements will be.
Lamar will be required to store the shots appropriately, stick to vaccine administration time frames, document the proper data and follow protocol for managing unused shots.
Vitanza said the university community is part of the second phase of people who are at increased risk of acquiring or transmitting the virus.
"The vaccines for phase 2 are expected to be available sometime between January and July 2021 and will be offered to students, faculty and staff on a volunteer basis at no charge," Vitanza said in a statement.
From a Lamar University spokesperson:
Lamar University’s Student Health Center is currently in the process of applying to receive, track and dispense the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Student Health Center has met with the Texas Department of State Health Services and Beaumont Emergency Management to learn the requirements to participate in the vaccine. There are vaccine storage requirements that have to be met as well as vaccine administration time frames, documentation into the National Registry data bank and procedures for managing unused vaccines.
Initially, vaccines will be given to groups at highest risk - essential workers and people at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness. In the second phase of inoculation, people at increased risk of acquiring or transmitting COVID-19 and people with limited access to routine vaccines will be given the vaccine. The LU community falls within the second phase of people who are at increased risk of acquiring or transmitting the virus.
The vaccines for phase 2 are expected to be available sometime between January and July 2021 and will be offered to students, faculty and staff on a volunteer basis at no charge.