Houston Department of Health launches online registration for COVID-19 vaccinations

HOUSTON The Houston Department of Health on Monday launched an online registration portal eligible for Houston residents to schedule appointments to receive free COVID-19 vaccinations.

On Monday, officials said the vaccine appointments at the city’s clinics for January were being discussed and that no new appointments were being made at the moment. As additional doses arrive, the department is working on local vaccination efforts and plans to announce more free vaccination opportunities.

People 65 and older and people 16 and older with at least one chronic medical condition who are at increased risk for serious illness and death can apply to receive the vaccine at HoustonEmergency.org/COVID19. These groups are part of Phase 1B of the Texas Vaccine Distribution Plan. A Spanish version is expected to be launched later in the day, health officials said.

Frontline health workers who have not received the vaccine may also sign up for the opportunity through the Department of Health, as they are part of the Phase 1A distribution.

People who are considered at high risk are people with cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart conditions, solid organ transplantation, obesity and severe obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease and type 2 diabetes.

Appointments are also available by calling the Health Department’s COVID-19 call center at 832-393-4220. The call center is open Monday to Saturday from 07:30 to 16:00, with hours until 17:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, visit the COVID-19 vaccine page at HoustonEmergency.org/covid19.