Allen gives 10,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine and closes in fast on 20,000

PLANO, TX – Allen hit a milestone last Friday morning when the city’s fire department administered its 10,000th dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Upon receiving her vaccine at Eagle Stadium, a state vaccination hub, longtime resident Linda Carter was met by a group of firefighters clapping and cheering for her.

Allen firefighter and paramedic Tony Cooper, who was the first to receive a vaccine from the department in late December, held a sign that read: “10,000 and counting!” and Carter was given a hat and T-shirt, according to a Facebook post by the Allen Fire Department.

As of Thursday morning, the fire department had given nearly 17,400 vaccines: 16,834 first doses and 540 second doses.

Allen’s fire chief, Jonathan Boyd, has played an integral role in ensuring the department, and fire departments around the state, have been prioritized as the state distributes vaccines. The fire chief has been an advocate for vaccines — both for the flu and COVID-19 — throughout the pandemic and petitioned state officials in December to consider the Allen Fire Department in vaccine distribution.

Boyd even volunteered as a participant in a Moderna vaccine trial study during the summer.

Those who wish to be vaccinated at the state vaccination hub in Allen must register for vaccine appointment alerts through the Allen Fire Department and make an appointment after receiving an email notification.

They should also meet the state’s qualifications for Groups 1A and 1B under the early stages of the vaccine rollout, prioritizing health care workers and first responders as well as people over the age of 65 and people with chronic health conditions who are especially vulnerable to the virus.