San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
When and where Texans can get the COVID-19 vaccine
Short supplies and erratic delivery are causing long waits for inoculations. Here's what you need to know:
Who can get it now?
Two groups are eligible. Group 1A: Includes health care workers in hospital settings working directly with COVID-19 or high-risk patients, long-termcare staff and residents, EMS providers, home health care workers.
Group 1B: A far larger group — anyone 65 or older, pregnant women and anyone 16 or older with a pre-existing condition. These include cancer, heart issues such as heart failure or coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, solid organ transplant, obesity or severe obesity, sickle cell disease or Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
If I qualify, where can I get it?
People in group 1B can make an appointment with a pharmacy, hospital, clinic or other provider. Providers are listed on a map provided by the Department of State Health Services.
To check the map, go to the DSHS vaccine information page at bit.ly/2Jvpru3 and click on “Vaccine Provider Locations” in the “More Information” box on the right-hand side. Call ahead to verify doses are available.
VIA Metropolitan Transit offers free rides to or from an appointment at a city- or countysponsored site.
Here's where some major providers stand now:
City: The Alamodome is a mass vaccination site for both groups. Appointments are required and can be made online at covid19.sanantonio.gov/ vaccine or by calling 311 and choosing option 8. If you received their first dose from the
city noon Jan. 13, Metro Health will call to schedule the second dose. Those who miss the call can contact 311 and select option 8 or email COVID19@sananto nio.gov. More information is at bit.ly/35E0u7y.
University Health System: Appointments will now be available for several weeks in advance, and those who register will be notified weekly if enough doses are available to confirm their appointment. Updates will be on its Go Mobile app and its newsletter, available at HealthFocusSA.net. Go to we candoitsa.com or call 210-6441960 for information.
WellMed: Appointment hotline is closed but will resume Jan. 30 at
833-968-1745. South Texas Veterans Health Care System:
The VA will be offering COVID-19 vaccines to enrolled veterans 65 and older (but not family or caregivers) at walk-in clinics, Saturdays only. Updated information will be at southtexas.va.gov or facebook.com/SanAntonio VAMC.
Christus Santa Rosa Health System: Has an appointment system for some clinics and outpatient care sites. Group 1B appointments currently are filled. Visit christushealth.org/ coronavirus/vaccine-faq and
use the online chat function to be screened for eligibility and check availability.
Brooke Army Medical Center: Focusing on inpatient and outpatient medical and support personnel. Its next phase will include high-risk military beneficiaries. Updates at bamc.tri care.mil and through social media.
Methodist Healthcare: Vaccinating its employees and providers; also has been offering the vaccine to several thousand health care workers in the community, such as nursing home staff, nursing students and EMS workers. It also is vaccinating transplant patients. Call 833582-1974 or visit exne.ws/sa health for more information.
UT Health San Antonio: Currently vaccinating UT Health patients only. Patients will be notified through MyChart when they are eligible. The online medical portal is available as an app or at bit.ly/2N0UWgV.
H-E-B: No vaccines in stock at any local H-E-B pharmacies. Appointments will be required when that changes. Check heb.com/vaccine to access the scheduling tool when it becomes available. Customers due for a second dose will be contacted
directly.
CVS: Giving doses to residents and staff of long-term-care facilities. Once vaccines are more widely available, appointments will be at cvs.com.
Walgreens: Giving doses to residents and staff of long-termcare facilities. Not yet taking appointments for group 1B. Check exne.ws/wal for updates.
How much does the vaccine cost?
The vaccine is free, regardless of insurance status.