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, but will face delays. Providers 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.
Don’t assume a provider has doses of vaccine just because it’s listed on the map. Call ahead to make sure.
VIA Metropolitan Transit offers free rides to or from an appointment at a city- or countysponsored COVID-19 vaccination site such as the Alamodome. Bus or VIA Link passengers can show their appointment registration (on paper or mobile device) or their shot record. Riders using the Viatrans service must schedule in advance by phone or online.
Here’s where some major providers stand now:
City: The Alamodome is a mass vaccination site for both groups, operated by the Metropolitan Health District. Appointments are required and can be made online at covid19.sanantonio.gov/vaccine or by calling 311 and choosing option 8. The city now schedules second doses when recipients get their first shots. Those who received their first doses before noon Jan. 13 will get a call from Metro Health to schedule their second doses. Those who miss the call can contact 311 and select option 8 or email Covid19@sanantonio.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 wecandoitsa.com or call 210-644-1960 for information.
Wellmed: Appointment hotline is closed, but will resume Saturday at 833-968-1745. Once it reopens, calls will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily while vaccine is available. The shots will be given at Elvira Cisneros Senior Community Activity Center, 517 S.W. Military Drive, and Alicia Treviño López Senior One-stop Center, 8353 Culebra Road.
South Texas Veterans Health Care System: The Veterans Affairs Department is again offering Saturday-only vaccine clinics for enrolled veterans 65 and older (but not family or caregivers). Appointments recommended, but walk-ins accepted. . Identification required to verify enrollment and schedule the second dose. Locations and times will be at southtexas.va.gov or facebook.com/sanantoniovamc.
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.tricare.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 833-5821974 or visit exne.ws/sahealth 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.
Comal County: Public health officials have launched a standby list for Comal County residents in groups 1A and 1B. Those eligible can visit www.co.comal .tx.us/vaccine/standbylist .htm to enter their information. Officials will use this list to schedule appointments as more vaccine becomes available, but say residents should stay alert for other options.
How much does the vaccine cost?
The vaccine is free, regardless of insurance status.
Do I have to show proof of age or underlying condition? DSHS has not offered guidance on how providers should check for proof of age or qualifying conditions.
Some providers have created their own policies to show proof of age or condition. H-E-B said patients can provide an ID or a prescription for their proof, while University Hospital has said it will take people at their word if they say they have underlying conditions.
Who is next, and when?
Texas’ Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel is considering criteria for later stages of vaccine distribution. It’s likely the general public won’t receive the vaccine until the spring. Any providers with extra doses can administer them to any willing person regardless of designation.