Mayor Turner announces the opening of the city’s first COVID-19 vaccine site to the public

HOUSTON – Mayor Sylvester Turner announced on Friday that the Houston Department of Health is opening the first COVID-19 vaccine site to the public.

The free vaccination clinic will give access to the general public at high risk of serious illness and death from coronavirus.

“We are working efficiently to vaccinate eligible frontline employees and vulnerable Houston residents,” said Turner. “The virus has taken its toll, especially among the elderly and black and brown communities. The vaccine is our best chance to help prevent people from getting sick and potentially suffering serious consequences. “

It will work like this:

To make an appointment to receive the Moderna vaccine, call the COVID-19 call center of the city’s health department by calling 832-393-4220, at home from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm from Saturday.

Each person will receive a place and time to be vaccinated. The health department says it will screen people as soon as they enter the clinic, direct them to a safe area to receive the vaccination and monitor any adverse reactions for 15 minutes, according to a press release.

Who is eligible to receive the vaccine at the clinic?

The Texas Phase 1B distribution plan will prioritize people 65 and older and people 16 and older who have at least one chronic medical condition, putting them at increased risk, according to a statement.

Medical conditions include the following: cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, solid organ transplantation, severe obesity and obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease and type 2 diabetes.

The statement also said that frontline health professionals will be eligible for vaccination as part of the Phase 1A rollout that began in mid-December.

The Houston Department of Health will announce additional free vaccination opportunities as the offer increases.

According to the statement, qualified persons must contact their physician or use the Texas State Health Services online map to locate and call vaccine providers.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, click here.