Harris County to launch coronavirus vaccine waiting list on Tuesday

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

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’,” said Hidalgo. “It’s not about who can update on a faster browser.”

Hidalgo said the waiting list will be made available at ReadyHarris.org or by calling 832-927-8787. The telephone line will be open from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday, and is available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

While anyone can join the waiting list, only people eligible to receive the vaccine in phases 1A and 1B will be able to be vaccinated at this time, said Hidalgo. She said the system will not be a first-come, first-served system. She said that eligible people will be subject to a randomization system to ensure that the administration process is fair. She said that people currently ineligible will be contacted as soon as they are eligible.

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

Hidalgo said Harris County Public Health has administered 27,426 vaccines to date and the county is receiving about 9,000 doses per week. She said that while county leaders are advocating receiving more doses, the waiting list does not mean that the county has a large stockpile of the vaccine.

“Supply remains extremely limited,” said Hidalgo.

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

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