The two main hospitals in Odessa are teaming up to get shots into resident's arms in Odessa.

According to the Midland Reporter-Telegram, Medical Center Hospital and Odessa Regional Medical Center and teaming up to vaccinate residents now that the state has opened the vaccine to all adults.

MCH by itself was vaccinating 7,000 people a week at Ratliff Stadium before the drop in demand in February which is when they moved vaccines to the west clinic and the clinic on JBS Parkway.

MCH did ask for the state to lower their allotment of doses once the decline began in February, but now that the vaccine has been opened up for all adults, MCH is anticipating a rise in people wanting the vaccine.

MCH is administering the first doses of the vaccine while ORMC is administering second doses at their Community Health Center.

“When it first came on, it was such a rush to get it done. We just grabbed the bull by the horns and took the initiative to get out at Ratliff Stadium,” said Russell Tippin President and CEO of Medical Center Hospital. “And finally, we were out at Ratliff Stadium for so long that we just kind of wore our resources out. And we realized Odessa Regional was a good partner.”

Walk-ins are welcomed for the first doses at MCH, but an appointment is required for the second dose at ORMC.

ORMC is receiving the exact number of second doses that MCH administers first.

Hospital officials at both hospitals are encouraging anyone 16 and older to get the vaccine.

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