The lack of a statewide distribution plan or phone number for people to call to make appointments has raised many questions. ABC13 analyzed the data to answer some of your questions below. The full link to the Texas DSHS COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the state panel.
Who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccines now?
According to the state of Texas, the distribution of the vaccine has been divided into phases. Phase 1A includes medical workers and those living in nursing homes, and Phase 1B includes anyone aged 65 or over or 16 years or 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?
Possibly. There are not enough doses for all those qualified. In general, patients with established relationships with large hospital chains are getting access to vaccines more quickly.
How can I try to get the vaccine?
O The city of Houston now has an online booking system, but only for those who fall into the Phase 1A and 1B groups – the first to respond and those over 65 or qualified.
If you do not meet these qualifications, do not make an appointment at this time. Appointment times are being added as the Houston City Department of Health receives more doses, so check back often.
If you have private health insurance, the authorities recommend that you check with your personal doctor first to see if they are linked to a large network of hospitals or if they have requested doses from the state.
If you use a hospital system, such as Memorial Hermann or Houston Methodist, for your primary care, call the office and make sure you are registered with your latest email and contact information. They will notify you when you qualify. Also, call your pharmacy if you use one regularly and be sure to ask to be registered or ask if they have any available. You can also check the urgent care centers near your home to see if they are in line for vaccinations.
Is there a list of vaccine locations?
ABC13 curated the state’s database for 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 dosage.
I called around. No one has a vaccine for my elderly father. What do I do?
You should continue to check with your local pharmacy and clinics in your area. More vaccines are being delivered every day.
For example, the health district of Galveston County announced on Tuesday that it will offer the Modern COVID-19 vaccine to those 65 and older, by appointment only. You can learn more by visiting the Galveston County website.
State health officials estimate that it will take several months for most Texans to locate immunization doses.
Each time I call a location, they tell me that they are treating only established patients first. Is that allowed?
Texas state guidelines focus on the categories of people that should be prioritized for vaccines. However, it left the actual distribution of vaccines to each provider. Therefore, each hospital and medical clinic can create its own vaccine distribution criteria. Since there are not enough vaccines for everyone, almost all hospitals and doctors’ offices are vaccinating their established patients first. ABC13 asked state authorities to clarify this issue.
My regular doctor is at Houston Methodist. Will I get a vaccine?
The Methodist began to notify established patients aged 75 or older about vaccination vacancies this week. The hospital system says it will begin to notify patients aged 65 and over, along with those who have chronic illnesses, in the next one or two weeks. Methodist Hospitals have received about 40,000 doses to date, one of the largest in our region.
My regular doctor has Memorial Hermann. Will I get a vaccine?
Memorial Hermann began to notify Phase 1B patients with relationships established on Monday, December 28. Check your emails. If you haven’t received an email to schedule, call your doctor’s office to make sure it’s on the list. The hospital received about 50,000 doses, the maximum of any hospital system in our region.
My regular doctor is with Kelsey Seybold. Will I get a vaccine?
Kelsey-Seybold has received 4,600 doses so far. He is currently vaccinating Phase 1A and has already started vaccination for Phase 1B. Kelsey-Seybold says he is proactively reaching 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 Modern vaccine on Monday, December 28, and began vaccination on Tuesday, December 29. Baylor is currently making Phase 1A and some Phase 1B vaccines. Please check your MyChart links and contact your doctor if you have any questions.
My regular doctor is from UT Health. Will I get a vaccine?
As of December 30, UT Physicians is vaccinating only frontline employees in Phase 1A. There is still no 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. The Bend regions received more than 6,000 doses of the vaccine. ABC13 contacted the hospital system, but declined to answer questions about the vaccine’s availability. However, the 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. It is currently vaccinating Phases 1A and 1B. All of this week’s commitments have been fulfilled. However, the health clinic qualified by the federal government has an online portal, so it is worth checking if consultations are available.
What about CVS and Walgreens?
CVS and Walgreens are currently participating in the vaccination of nursing home residents as part of a federal plan. At this point, they are not administering 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, each HEB HEB pharmacy in the Houston area has received approximately 100 doses of the vaccine. These were distributed mainly to medical professionals. HEB is waiting for more vaccines from the state to distribute them to Phase 1B customers. Pharmacy customers should check the website again for more updates.
I see on the list ophthalmic centers, orthopedic doctors and dermatology offices with doses. Are these available?
Any medical provider can apply to be a vaccine distributor, including specialist doctors. Since there is no central state database, you would have to contact each specialist doctor’s office directly to see if they have doses available.
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