How to find a COVID-19 vaccine for people in phase 1B in Texas

SAN ANTONIO – With new guidance from the Texas State Department of Health Services, people over the age of 65 or over 16 with underlying medical conditions are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. But with vaccine doses still limited, people in that group may have to call several providers before getting an appointment.

On Tuesday, the state health department released a map showing the locations of COVID-19 vaccine providers. Officials say residents should access the map, find a nearby provider and call them to see if they are making appointments.

“Not all providers vaccinate the public or people in all priority groups,” according to a statement on the state’s map page.

In San Antonio, there are several local clinics that now offer the Moderna vaccine to patients. This vaccine has been approved for people over 18 years of age.

But other providers, such as HEB, which has received thousands of doses, stop vaccinating eligible people in phase 1B until the “need is met” for people in phase 1A, which includes health care workers.

ABOUT: Here’s who is included in the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations in Texas

“HEB will comply with the distribution schedule established by the government and any updates will be communicated to customers through our pharmacy page on heb.com and HEB Newsroom. In this first phase (1A) of the launch of the Covid-19 vaccine, some HEB pharmacies received the Moderna vaccine to help vaccinate our healthcare providers in the community. Once the need is met in phase 1A, vaccinations will be given to those entering phase 1B. An appointment must be scheduled to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Our pharmacies will not accept walking. “

HEB

When HEB intends to provide vaccines to people in phase 1B, officials said an appointment should be scheduled at their pharmacy department. Walk-ins will not be accepted.

While the development of COVID-19 vaccines has come at a record pace, the launch has hit issues.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday accused providers of moving too slowly in administering the vaccine. Commissioner for Health and Human Services Dr. John Hellerstedt wrote a letter on the same subject.

According to the state scoreboard, less than 30% of the vaccines that were delivered to suppliers were administered.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said Tuesday that about 31,000 of the 51,000 doses received in Bexar County have already been administered.