Houston Department of Health prioritizing COVID-19 vaccinations for the city’s most vulnerable residents

Next week, the Houston Department of Health will focus its efforts on allocating the COVID-19 vaccine to those most at risk of serious illness and vulnerable communities, the department said in a statement.

“We know that it is important to vaccinate the most vulnerable people and they should be among the first to receive vaccines, especially when supplies are scarce,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner in the release. “The Houston Department of Health’s distribution plan for the coming week focuses on those most at risk of illness and death and people living in vulnerable communities.”

The department’s emphasis on vaccinating vulnerable populations means that it will not open first dose consultations to the qualified general public next week.

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The department received 9,000 additional doses on Thursday and will prioritize approximately 5,300 for its Area Aging Agency, 2,400 for providers in vulnerable communities and 1,300 for previously scheduled appointments.

The department will also schedule 11,971 appointments for a second dose for the week of February 1.

Those who received the first dose from the health department will be contacted to schedule a second dose. The department said people did not need to call for a second dose, unless they were contacted 48 hours before Moderna’s recommended 28-day date. The department is providing second doses only to those to whom it has provided a first dose.

Houston health department appointments are full based on delivery. The department recommends residents not to contact the city’s COVID-19 call center about the first dose appointments because there are currently no vacancies available.

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People can register for the HoustonRecovers AlertHouston subscription to learn more about Houston Health Department’s new first-rate appointment opportunities via email, text message, voice call or mobile app notification, according to the department.

When vaccination appointments for the first dose are available, the Houston Department of Health’s clinic consultation portal will open at HoustonEmergency.org/covid19.

People can also visit HoustonEmergency.org/covid19 for a list of local suppliers of the COVID-19 vaccine.