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

HOUSTON – The Houston Department of Health launched an online registration portal on Monday that allows Houston residents to schedule appointments to receive free COVID-19 vaccines.

On Monday, officials said vaccine appointments at city clinics are scheduled for January and there are no further appointments at this time. As additional doses are arriving, the department is pushing for local vaccination efforts and plans to announce more free vaccination opportunities.

People aged 65 and over and people aged 16 and over with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk of serious illness and death can apply for 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 released later in the day, health officials said.

Frontline health professionals who have not received the vaccine are also eligible to apply for the vaccine through the health department, as they are part of the Phase 1A distribution.

People considered to be at high risk include those with cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, solid organ transplantation, severe obesity and obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease and type 2 diabetes.

Appointments are also available at the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 call center at 832-393-4220. The call center is open from Monday to Saturday, from 7:30 am to 4 pm, with hours extended until 5 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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