Who can get it now? 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:

People in these two groups are eligible.

Group 1A: Includes health care workers in hospital settings working directly with COVID-19 or high-risk patients, long-term 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.

Scroll down to “Where to Get Vaccinated” and click on “Large Vaccination Hubs” or “Vaccine Availability Map.” 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: Metropolitan Health District has run out of appointments for its current batch of first doses for the mass vaccination site at the Alamodome. Second doses of the vaccine also are being administered by appointment. 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. 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 210644-1960 for information.

Wellmed: The phone hotline has reopened for first dose appointments at 833-968-1745. Shots will administered through this week at the Cisneros Senior Community Activity Center and the Treviño López Senior Onestop Center. No walk-ins. Visit the wellmedhealthcare.com/vaccine 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 found at:

vaccinate.christushealth.org to be screened for eligibility. If the chat function does not appear, no appointments are available.

Communicare Health Centers:

Will contact current patients who are eligible to schedule appointments 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 and all TRICARE beneficiaries 65 and older. Those 65 and up can make appointments through www.tricareonline.com or by calling the Consult Appointment Management Office at 210-916-9900 or 800443-2262, option 8, from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-friday. Military and civilians in the 1B group can contact their military unit leadership to schedule an appointment at BAMC. Appointments are full at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center for TRICARE beneficiaries 65 and older. Updates at bamc.tricare.mil and through social media.

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/sanantonio VAMC.

UT Health San Antonio:

Currently vaccinating UT Health patients only. Current patients 65 and older may schedule their vaccines using Mychart. Other patients will be notified by phone or through Mychart when eligible. The online medical portal is available as an app or at bit.ly/2n0uwgv.

CVS: Vaccine is now being offered at some San Antonio locations, but appointments are fully booked. Check availability at Cvs.com or through the CVS Pharmacy mobile app; registration is required. Those without online access can call CVS customer service at 800-746-7287.

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. Customers due for second doses will be contacted directly once those doses are ready.

Walgreens: No appointments currently are available within 25 miles of San Antonio. Check availability at Walgreens.com/Schedulevaccine. No walk-ins accepted. Also has been vaccinating residents and staff of long-term care facilities. Check exne.ws/wal for updates.

Walmart, Sam’s Club: Check for appointment availability at the Walmart website at walmart.com/cp/1228302 and Sam’s Club website at samsclub.com/pharmacy. The Walmart stores at 5555 De Zavala Road, 5626 Walzem Road and 8923 W. Military Drive are the only San Antonio sites slated to receive doses so far.

Comal County: The county’s vaccine standby list is full. Registration may reopen later depending on supply. Check co.comal.tx.us and social media accounts for updates. A two-day clinic for second doses is set for today and Wednesday at the New Braunfels Convention Center. Second doses also will be administered March 10.

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. 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. Any providers with extra doses can administer them to any willing person regardless of designation.