The lack of a nationwide 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 currently eligible for COVID-19 vaccines?
According to the state of Texas, the distribution of vaccines is divided into phases. Phase 1A includes medical workers and those living in nursing homes, and Phase 1B includes everyone who is 65 years or older, or 16 and older with a chronic medical condition such as cancer, COPD, heart disease, organ transplantation, obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease and type 2 diabetes.
I qualify for the vaccine! Can I get it now?
Possible. There are not enough doses for everyone who qualifies. In general, patients with established relationships with large hospital chains gain faster access to the vaccines.
How can I try to get the vaccine?
The City of Houston now has an online dating system, but only for those who fall into the groups of Phase 1A and 1B – the first reaction and those older than 65 or with qualifying conditions.
If you do not meet these qualifications, do not make an appointment at this time. Appointments are added as the City of Houston Department of Health receives more doses, so come back regularly.
If you have private health insurance, officials recommend that you first check with your personal physician to see if it is related to a large hospital chain or if the dose has been dosed.
Call your office if you use a hospital system, such as Memorial Hermann or Houston Methodist, and make sure you are registered with your latest email address and contact information. They will notify you when you qualify. Also call your pharmacy if you use one regularly, and make sure you ask to be registered, or ask if it is available. You can also contact urgent care facilities near your home to see if they are able to set up vaccines.
Is there a list of vaccinations?
ABC13 compiled the state database for all facilities that received vaccines in the provinces of Harris, Fort Bend and Galveston. You can find the list here. You can search any of the providers and try calling. Some have doses.
I called around. No one has a vaccine for my elderly parent. What should I do?
You should continue with your local pharmacy and clinics in your area. More vaccines are being delivered every day.
For example, the Galveston County Health District announced on Tuesday that it will offer the Modern COVID-19 vaccine by appointment only to those 65 and older. The telephone bank of COVID-19 will open on Wednesday at 09:00. You can call 409-547-4015 to make an appointment.
The health district said it was receiving 400 extra vaccine doses. But the appointments are necessary due to the limited offer.
More shipments are expected in the coming weeks. The health district also plans to expand who is eligible to receive the vaccine as more doses become available. You can learn more by visiting the Galveston County website.
State health officials estimate it will take several months before the majority of Texans detect immunization doses.
Every time I call a place, they tell me they take established patients first. Is it allowed?
The Texas state leadership focuses on categories of people who should be given preference for vaccinations. However, this left the actual distribution of vaccines to each provider. Therefore, each hospital and physician clinic can set its own criteria for the distribution of vaccines. Since there are not enough vaccinations for everyone, almost all hospitals and medical offices have to vaccinate their established patients first. ABC13 has asked government officials to clarify this issue.
My regular doctor is at Houston Methodist. Will I get a vaccine?
Methodists this week notified established patients aged 75 and older for vaccination slots. According to the hospital system, qualifying patients 65 years and older along with those with chronic conditions will be notified in the next one or two weeks. Methodist hospitals have so far received about 40,000 doses, one of the most in our region.
My regular doctor is at Memorial Hermann. Will I get a vaccine?
Memorial Hermann began announcing Phase 1B patients with established relationships on Monday, December 28th. Check your emails. If you have not received an email to plan, you can call your doctor’s office to make sure you’re on the list. The hospital received nearly 50,000 doses, the most from any hospital system in our region.
My regular doctor is at Kelsey Seybold. Will I get a vaccine?
Kelsey-Seybold has received 4,600 doses so far. Phase 1A is currently being vaccinated and phase 1B vaccination is starting. Kelsey-Seybold says it proactively reaches out to patients who qualify
My regular doctor is at Baylor College of Medicine. Will I get a vaccine?
Baylor College of Medicine received 4,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine on Monday, December 28, and began vaccinations on Tuesday, December 29. Baylor is currently doing both Phase 1A and some Phase 1B vaccines. Check your MyChart links and contact your doctor if you have any questions.
My regular doctor is at UT Health. Will I get a vaccine?
From 30 December, UT doctors will only vaccinate front-line employees under phase 1A. There is not yet a timetable 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. Bending regions have received more than 6,000 doses of the vaccine. ABC13 contacted the hospital system but declined to answer questions about its availability. However, HCA has a website with information.
I’m going to Legacy Community Health, will I get a vaccine?
Legacy Community Health has received approximately 2,000 doses from the state of Texas. Phase 1A and 1B are currently being vaccinated. All appointments for this week have been filled. However, the federally qualified health clinic has an online portal, so it’s worth checking to see if appointments are available.
What about CVS & Walgreens?
CVS and Walgreens are currently participating in the vaccination of nursing home residents as part of a federal plan. At this stage, they do not give vaccinations to the general public, but you should continue to investigate them.
Do grocery stores like Kroger, Randalls and HEB have vaccinations?
Pharmacies in Kroger, Randalls and HEB do have vaccinations, but their availability is limited.
Currently, each HEB pharmacy in Houston has received approximately 100 doses of the vaccine. It was mostly distributed to medical workers. HEB is waiting for more vaccines from the state so that it can spread among Phase 1B customers. Pharmacy customers should check the website for more updates.
I see on the list eye centers, orthopedic doctors and dermatology offices with doses. Is it available?
Any medical provider can apply to be a distributor of vaccines, including specialist doctors. As there is no central government database, you should contact each specialist’s office directly to see if doses are available.
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