When and where to get the coronavirus vaccine

State health officials announced this week that more Texans now can receive the coronavirus vaccine. Here’s a breakdown of what residents can expect — and when.

Where does Texas stand now?

People in Phase 1A and Phase 1B now can get the vaccine. Because the vaccine still is considered in “limited supply,” the Texas Department of State Health Services, or DSHS, says it may not yet be available for everyone in Phase 1B. It’s providing Texans with the latest information, including a link to its dashboard tracking vaccinations, on its website: bit.ly/2jvpru3.

However, state health officials have raised concerns about the limited amount of doses that actually have been administered. The DSHS dashboard says about 30 percent of 678,925 doses delivered statewide had been administered as of Wednesday. Scroll down on the DSHS vaccine information page to find a link to the dashboard under “Vaccine Data.”

Texas is set to receive another 1.4 million vaccines by today.

Who is in Phase 1A and Phase 1B?

Phase 1A: Includes health care workers in hospital settings working directly with COVID-19 positive or high-risk patients, long-term care staff, EMS providers, home health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities.

Phase 1B: Anyone 65 years and older, pregnant women and anyone over the age of 16 with a preexisting condition. These conditions 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.

Dr. John Hellerstedt, the DSHS commissioner, said vaccine providers need to “pivot quickly” to Phase 1B once all willing members of Phase 1A have been vaccinated. Providers, however, don’t need to ensure all Phase 1A members have received their doses before moving onto the next group.

If I qualify, how do I get the vaccine?

People in Phase 1B will need to make an appointment with a provider who has a vaccine supply. Providers, which include medical facilities, pharmacies and hospitals, are listed on a DSHS map. Each provider will let you know if you are eligible and whether it has doses of the vaccine available.

To check the map, go to bit.ly/3pznvbq and click on “Vaccine Provider Locations” in the “More Information” box on the right-hand side.

Onwednesday, the San Antonio Express-news called five providers from various areas of the city: two pharmacies, two medical practices and one urgent care center. Of the five, two had run out of vaccines for the week, two still only were vaccinating people in Phase 1A, and one had not yet received vaccines for people in Phase 1B.

Do I have to show proof of age or underlying condition?

DSHS has not offered guidance on howproviders should check for proof of age or qualifying conditions. Of the providers we spoke with, two said they plan to require at least proof of age; one plans to require proof of condition, such as a doctor’s note or prescription.

Who is next, and when?

Texas’ Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel is considering criteria for later stages of vaccine distribution. It’s unclear what the next phase will look like, but it’s likely the general public won’t receive the vaccine until at least the spring.

Once people in Phase 1A and Phase 1B have been vaccinated, any providers with extra doses can administer them to any willing person regardless of their priority designation in an effort to avoid having usable vaccines sit on the shelves.

How much does the vaccine cost?

The vaccine is free of charge, regardless of insurance status.