The lack of a statewide distribution plan or a phone number for people to call to make appointments has created many questions. ABC13 has analyzed the data to answer some of your questions below. The full Texas DSHS COVID-19 vaccine link can be found on the state dashboard.
Who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccines right now?
According to the state of Texas, the distribution of the vaccine was divided into stages. Phase 1A includes health care workers and those living in nursing homes, and Phase 1B includes anyone 65 or older or 16 years of age or older with a chronic condition such as cancer, COPD, heart disease, organ transplantation, obesity. , pregnancy, sickle disease and type 2 diabetes.
I qualify for the vaccine! Can I get it now?
Possibly. There are not enough doses for everyone who qualifies. In general, patients with established relationships with large hospital chains have faster access to vaccines.
How can I try to get the vaccine?
The city of Houston now has an online booking system, but only for those who fall into phase 1A and 1B groups – the first respondents and those over 65 or with qualifying conditions.
If you do not meet these qualifications, do not book an appointment at this time. Schedules are added as the Houston Department of Health receives more doses, so come back often.
If you have private health insurance, officials recommend that you consult your personal physician first to see if they are related to a major hospital chain or have requested doses from the state.
If you use a hospital system, such as Memorial Hermann or Houston Methodist, for primary care, call your office and make sure you are registered with the latest contact information and email. They will notify you when you qualify. Also, call the pharmacy if you use one regularly and make sure you ask to be registered or ask if they have anything available. You can also check with the emergency care units near your home to see if they are handy for vaccines.
Is there a list of vaccine locations?
ABC13 organized the state database to all facilities that received vaccines in Harris, Fort Bend and Galveston counties. You can find the embedded list here. You can search and try to call any of the providers. Some may have doses.
I called around. No one has a vaccine for my elderly father. What I do?
You should continue to check with local pharmacies and clinics in your area. Several vaccines are delivered each day.
For example, the health district of Galveston County announced on Tuesday that it will offer the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to those aged 65 and over only by appointment. The COVID-19 telephone bank will open on Wednesday at 9:00. You can call 409-547-4015 to make an appointment.
The health district said it had received another 400 doses of vaccine. But appointments are needed due to limited supply.
More shipments are expected in the coming weeks. The health district also intends to expand who is eligible to receive the vaccine as more doses become available. You can find out more by visiting the Galveston County website.
State health officials estimate it will take several months for most Texans to locate immunization doses.
Every time I call a location, I tell myself that I only receive established patients. Is allowed?
The Texas guidelines focus on the categories of people who should be given priority for vaccines. However, it left the actual distribution of vaccines to each supplier. Therefore, each hospital and doctors’ clinics can create their own criteria for distributing vaccines. Because there are not enough vaccines for everyone, almost all hospitals and medical offices vaccinate their established patients first. ABC13 asked state officials to clarify this issue.
My regular doctor is with the Houston Methodist. Will I get a vaccine?
Methodist began announcing this week established patients over the age of 75 for vaccination slots. The hospital system says it will start notifying patients aged 65 and over, along with those suffering from chronic conditions in the next one or two weeks. Methodist hospitals have so far received about 40,000 doses, one of the largest in our region.
My regular doctor is with Hermann Memorial. Will I get a vaccine?
Hermann Memorial began announcing Phase 1B patients with relationships established on Monday, December 28th. Check your emails. If you have not received an appointment email, you may want to call your doctor’s office to make sure you are on the list. The hospital received almost 50,000 doses, most of any hospital system in our region.
My regular doctor is with Kelsey Seybold. Will I get a vaccine?
Kelsey-Seybold has so far received 4,600 doses. He is currently vaccinating in phase 1A and has started some phase 1B vaccination. Kelsey-Seybold says she is proactively addressing qualifying patients
My regular doctor is at Baylor College of Medicine. Will I get a vaccine?
Baylor College of Medicine received 4,000 doses of Modern vaccine on Monday, December 28 and began vaccinations on Tuesday, December 29. Baylor is currently doing both phase 1A and some phase 1B vaccines. Please check the MyChart links and contact your doctor if you have any questions.
My regular doctor is with UT Health. Will I get a vaccine?
Starting with December 30, UT doctors vaccinate the employees from the first phase only in phase 1A. There is still no schedule for phase 1B patients to receive the vaccine.
My regular doctor is HCA Hospitals. Will I get a vaccine?
HCA Hospitals in Houston, Galveston and Ft. The Bend regions have received more than 6,000 doses of vaccine. ABC13 contacted the hospital system, but declined to answer questions about vaccine availability. However, HCA has a website with information.
I’m going to Legacy Community Health, will I get a vaccine?
Legacy Community Health received approximately 2,000 doses from the state of Texas. It is currently vaccinating phases 1A and 1B. All appointments for this week have been met. However, the federally qualified health clinic has an online portal, so it’s worth checking if appointments are available.
What about CVS and Walgreens?
CVS and Walgreens are currently involved in vaccinating nursing home residents as part of a federal plan. At this time, do not administer vaccines to the general public, but you should continue to check.
Do grocery stores like Kroger, Randalls and HEB have vaccines?
Kroger, Randalls and HEB pharmacies have vaccines, but availability is limited.
Currently, every HEB pharmacy in the Houston HEB area has received approximately 100 doses of vaccine. Most were distributed to medical workers. HEB is expecting more vaccines from the state so that it can distribute them to Phase 1B customers. Pharmacy customers should return to the website for more updates.
I see on the list eye centers, orthopedic doctors and dermatology offices with doses. Are available?
Any medical provider could request to be a distributor of vaccines, including specialists. As there is no central state database, you will need to contact the office of each specialist directly to see if they have doses available.
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