What’s Next with the COVID‑19 Vaccine in Texas
“All providers that have received COVID-19 vaccine must immediately vaccinate healthcare workers, Texans over the age of 65, and people with medical conditions that put them at a greater risk of severe disease or death from COVID-19. No vaccine should be kept in reserve.”
– DSHS Commissioner John Hellerstedt, M.D.
Texas continues to receive doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, and is distributing statewide to hospitals, pharmacies, local health departments, freestanding ERs and other clinics.
Who can get the vaccine now?
Front-line healthcare workers and residents at long-term care facilities (called Phase 1A) plus people over 65 or with a chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from COVID‑19 (called Phase 1B) are currently eligible to receive the COVID‑19 vaccine.
Phase 1B recipients include:
- People 65 years of age and older
- People 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Down Syndrome
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
- Solid organ transplantation
- Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
If I’m eligible for vaccine now, how do I get one?
If you are in Phase 1A or 1B, you have two options to get the vaccine: you can get vaccinated at a large vaccine hub or a local vaccine provider.
Beginning in January, Texas established large vaccination sites or hubs around the state. The goal of these hubs is to provide more people the vaccine and a simpler way to sign up for an appointment.
Please check the COVID‑19 Vaccination Hub Providers page to find a hub near you and learn how to register. Remember, vaccine supply is still limited in Texas, even though more arrives each week.
Please note:
- Do not show up at a vaccine hub without first signing up or checking the provider’s instructions for scheduling.
- Hub providers may already have long waiting lists or may be no longer accepting appointments for the week.
- Each hub’s registration process is different, so look carefully at the hub’s registration site for details.
- Depending on the provider, you may be placed on a waiting list and/or may be contacted (phone, email, or text) when vaccines become available.
Another option is to check with a vaccine provider near you. Local vaccine providers, like pharmacies, may have vaccine available. Use the Texas COVID‑19 Vaccine Availability map to find a provider near you with vaccine available. Check the provider’s website for how to best sign up for a vaccine.
Remember:
- Do not show up at a hospital or clinic looking for vaccine.
- Instead please check their website for information about vaccine availability and/or a wait list.
- Call only if the website doesn’t answer your questions.
Thank you for your patience as Texas receives more vaccine every week.
After Phase 1, who gets the vaccine next and when?
Spring 2021 is the best estimate of when vaccine will be available for the general public, but that may change. It depends on vaccine production and how quickly other vaccines become available. The Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel (EVAP) is considering what criteria could be used for later stages of vaccine distribution. This webpage will be updated when those decisions are completed.
More questions?
Visit our frequently asked questions page.
Information for Vaccination Providers
Find enrollment instructions, guidance, and resources for COVID‑19 vaccination providers.
Provider Info
Vaccine Data
The dashboard has information about vaccine distribution and administered doses in Texas.
Texas COVID-19 Vaccine Data by County (XLS) (updated daily)
Dashboard
Four Things to Know about the COVID‑19 Vaccine
1Safety is a top priority.
Safety is a top priority while federal partners work to make COVID‑19 vaccines available. The new COVID‑19 vaccines have been evaluated in tens of thousands of volunteers during clinical trials. The vaccines are only authorized for use if they are found to be safe.
Even though they found no safety issues during the clinical trials, CDC and other federal partners will continue to monitor the new vaccines. They watch out for serious side effects (or “adverse events”) using vaccine safety monitoring systems, like the new
V‑safe After Vaccination Health Checker app.
2The vaccines are highly effective. You’ll likely need two doses for full protection.
All but one of the COVID‑19 vaccines currently in development need two shots to be effective. You will need two doses from the same manufacturer, spaced
21 or 28 days apart. You will get full protection from the vaccine usually 1–2 weeks after getting your second dose.
After you get the vaccine, you will still need to keep wearing a mask, social distance, and wash hands often. That’s because stopping a pandemic requires all the tools we have. All these efforts combined will offer the best protection from COVID‑19 and help us get
“back to normal” sooner.
3You cannot get COVID‑19 from the vaccine.
COVID‑19 vaccines do not use the live virus and cannot give you COVID‑19. The vaccine does not alter your DNA. COVID‑19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an immune response without having to experience sickness.
Having symptoms like fever after you get a vaccine is normal and a sign your immune system is building protection against the virus. The side effects from COVID‑19 vaccination may feel like flu, but they should go away in a few days. Learn more about what side effects to expect and get helpful tips on how to reduce pain and discomfort after your vaccination.
4Texas is already distributing vaccine and will continue as more becomes available.
The Texas Commissioner of Health appointed an Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel (EVAP) of subject matter experts to make recommendations on vaccine allocation decisions. This includes identifying groups that should be vaccinated first. The goal is to provide the most protection to vulnerable populations and critical state resources.
Other groups will receive vaccines in coming months, as more vaccines are made available. Check back here often for the latest information on vaccine availability in Texas.
Hear from the Texas Experts
Texas Begins COVID‑19 Vaccination
DSHS Commissioner John Hellerstedt, MD discusses the COVID‑19 vaccine's arrival to Texas.
How Does the COVID-19 Vaccine Work?
Chief State Epidemiologist Jennifer Shuford, MD explains how the COVID‑19 vaccine works.
Who in Texas Is Getting the Vaccine First?
Chief State Epidemiologist Jennifer Shuford, MD explains who in Texas is getting the COVID‑19 vaccine first and why.
COVID-19 Vaccines Are Here. Why Do We Need to Keep up Prevention Steps?
Chief State Epidemiologist Jennifer Shuford, MD discusses why we need to keep up our #HealthyTexas steps as vaccines arrive.
Texas COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Tools
Help inform Texans of important COVID-19 vaccine education and instruction. Use and share our COVID-19 vaccine communication tools.
Texas COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Tools