AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department confirmed to KXAN that all APD employees can begin receiving the COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday.
According to the state's guidelines, first responders like firefighters and medics have priority to get the COVID-19 vaccine before police officers. These vaccinations for APD are being coordinated through the Austin Public Safety Wellness Center, which provides other vaccinations for Austin's public safety employees.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services' allocations for the second week of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, the Austin Public Safety Wellness Center is listed as receiving 1,300 doses. The city website states that APD has 2,646 sworn employees.
APD Officer Marcus Davis, who spoke with KXAN as a representative of the department's public information office, said the decision for APD officers to get the vaccine wasn't made by APD. He said the department will be receiving Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday.
Davis said that Austin Public Health will be administering the vaccine for APD. KXAN has reached out to APH for comment. Davis was not sure if the vaccines will go to only APD officers or to civilian employees, as well.
Austin Police Association President Ken Casaday told KXAN he had received an email this weekend from the department explaining that APD will begin receiving Moderna's vaccine on Monday.
Casaday said the department had told him there is enough of the vaccine that everyone in APD can be vaccinated if they wish to take it, though they are not required to take it.
KXAN will be updating this story with the latest details as it develops.
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