TX Coronavirus Vaccine Hub: Where, Who And How To Get Immunized

TEXAS — The vaccine rollout in Texas, as with much of the country, has faced its fair share of hurdles that have left residents feeling frustrated.

Still, more and more people are getting shots every day. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reports Texas providers have administered more than 4.8 million doses of vaccine since mid-December 2020.

More than 3.2 million people have received at least one dose, and more than 1.5 million have been fully vaccinated. It's not too far off in the future when the vaccine will be available to the general public.

The vaccine is being administered at state run mass vaccination sites in Harris, Dallas and Tarrant counties as well as at smaller countywide sites. Pharmacies are also beginning to vaccinate eligible residents.

As of Feb. 26, the coronavirus vaccine is available to the following Texas residents:

Those in Phase 1A:

• Health care workers (paid and unpaid workers in hospital settings).
• Medical first respondents.
• Residents and staff of long-term care facilities (ex: nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, State Supported Living Centers (SSLCs) and community-based intermediate care facilities for individuals with an intellectual disability or related condition).

Those in Phase 1B:

• Anyone 65 and older.
• 16 and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts
  them at increased risk for severe illness: cancer, chronic kidney disease, heart conditions, COPD, obesity and severe obesity, down syndrome, organ transplantation, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, Type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies.

Do you have a medical condition, but don’t see it listed under 1B?

You might qualify for the vaccine, but you need to talk your provider to confirm, according to the Texas DSHS website. The list of medical conditions under 1B does not include every condition that puts you at greater risk for getting very sick with COVID-19. The CDC has a longer list that can be found on their People with Certain Medical Conditions page.

When will the general public qualify for the vaccine?

The Texas Dept. of State Health Services (DSHS)'s website says the general public may be available to receive the COVID-19 vaccine sometime around Spring 2021.

The estimated timeline depends on vaccine production and how quickly other vaccines become available, the website said.

Where To Get Vaccinated

Vaccine supplies remain scarce, but state and local health leaders maintain updated lists of health care providers offering the vaccine. You can find a vaccine provider near you by checking:

• The Texas DSHS' list of vaccination locations by county.
• A list of weekly Texas COVID-19 vaccine allocation sites.
• Texas DSHS Vaccine availability map.
• CVS Health is offering COVID-19 vaccines for Texans in these areas.

When searching for a vaccination site, remember:

• Not all local providers have vaccine each week and hubs may have long waiting lists.
• Do not show up at a hub or provider looking for a vaccine.
• Instead, check the provider’s website. Call only if the website doesn’t answer your questions.

Do you know someone who is eligible for a vaccine but doesn’t have internet access? Please let them know they can call 2‑1‑1 for referral to a local vaccine provider.

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