Harris County will launch its coronavirus vaccine waiting list on Tuesday

HOUSTON – Harris County will launch a waiting list for people who want to receive the coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the list aims to create a fair way to distribute and administer the vaccine.

“Getting a COVID-19 vaccine shouldn’t be like ‘Hunger Games,'” Hidalgo said. “It shouldn’t be about who can access a browser refresh the fastest.”

Hidalgo said the waiting list will be available at ReadyHarris.org or by calling 832-927-8787. The telephone line will be open from 08:00 to 17:00 Monday to Saturday and is available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

While anyone can sign up for the waiting list, only people who are eligible to receive the vaccine in phases 1A and 1B will be able to receive the vaccine at this time, Hidalgo said. She said the system would not be a “first come, first served” system. She said eligible people will be subject to a randomization system to ensure the administration process is fair. She said people who are not currently eligible will be contacted after they are eligible.

If you register online, you will receive a confirmation email. Once you are selected, you will receive another email with an individualized identification code inviting you to schedule an hour and time within 48 hours to receive the vaccine. If you register by phone and are selected, you will receive a phone call to make your appointment.

Hidalgo said Harris County Public Health has so far administered 27,426 vaccines, and the county receives about 9,000 doses a week. She said that while county leaders are advocating for more doses, the waiting list does not mean the county has a huge stockpile of vaccine.

“Supply continues to be extremely limited,” Hidalgo said.

She also said that the county is working on the construction of six fixed vaccination sites, targeting those areas with the highest number of covid cases and those communities and neighborhoods that are served.

You can watch a rerun of Hidalgo’s press conference below: