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?
Group 1A: Includes health care workers in hospital settings working directly with COVID-19 or high-risk patients, longterm care staff and residents, EMS providers and 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 but will face delays. The city now offers text alerts about opportunities to get appointments with public providers — to sign up, text Vaccine to 55000 or, for alerts in Spanish, Vacuna to 55000.
Providers also are listed on a map on the Department of State Health Services vaccine information page at bit.ly/2Jvpru3. Click on “Vaccine Provider Locations” in the “More Information” box on the right-hand side. Call ahead to make sure a provider has doses of vaccine.
VIA Metropolitan Transit offers free rides to or from an appointment at a city- or county-sponsored COVID-19 vaccination site such as the Alamodome. Check VIAinfo.net for the latest service updates.
Here’s where some major providers stand now:
City: Second doses of the vaccine are being administered by appointment. Metro Health has assured that recent delays won’t compromise effectiveness because second doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines can be given up to six weeks after the first dose. No first doses are currently being scheduled. More information is at bit.ly/35E0u7y.
University Health: Registration is ongoing, with notification weekly if enough doses are available to confirm appointments. Updates will be on the system’s Go Mobile app and its newsletter, available at HealthFocusSA.net.
Or go to wecandoitsa.com or call 210-644-1960 for information.
WellMed: The phone line has reopened for first dose appointments at 833-968-1745, for a new supply of shots to be administered through this week at the Cisneros Senior Community Activity Center and the Treviño López Senior One-Stop Center. No walk-ins. Visit the website or WellMed’s Facebook page for the latest information.
Christus Santa Rosa Health System: Has an appointment system for some clinics and outpatient care sites. Use the online chat function at vaccinate.christushealth.org to be screened for eligibility.
CommuniCare Health Centers: Will contact eligible patients while supply lasts.
Methodist Healthcare: Vaccinating its employees, providers and transplant patients, along with health care workers in the community. For information, call 210-575-0580 or visit exne.ws/sahealth.
San Antonio Military Medical System: Brooke Army Medical Center has expanded vaccinations to eligible 1B military personnel, but Wilford Hall has stopped making appointments to vaccinate civilian TRICARE beneficiaries 75 and older. Updates at bamc.tricare.mil.
South Texas Veterans Health Care System: The VA will call veterans to schedule vaccine appointments as supply allows. Updates will be posted at www.southtexas.va.gov or facebook.com/ SanAntonioVAMC.
UT Health San Antonio: Current UT Health patients 65 and older may schedule appointments using MyChart. The online medical portal is available as an app or at bit.ly/2N0UWgV.
CVS: Vaccine is not yet being offered at San Antonio locations.
H-E-B: All appointments in San Antonio have been filled, but new time slots can be added at any time. Check availability at vaccine.heb.com.
Walgreens: No appointments are available within 25 miles of San Antonio. Check availability at Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine.
Walmart, Sam’s Club: Check for availability at Walmart at walmart.com/cp/1228302 and Sam’s Club at samsclub.com/pharmacy.
Comal County: The county’s standby list is full. Check www.co. comal. tx.us for updates.