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As more rounds of COVID-19 vaccine doses make their way to the Houston area, local county leaders and health officials are working to implement the best plans possible for distribution.
Here’s a vaccine distribution breakdown.
City of Houston
Updated: March 1, 2021
The Houston Health Department today expanded its COVID-19 vaccine waitlist to all age groups eligible for vaccination under the Texas Department of State Health Services criteria. The waitlist is used to schedule the department’s allotment of appointments at the FEMA community vaccination center at NRG Park and its other vaccination sites.
Phase 1A of the state’s criteria focuses on front-line health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities. Phase 1B focuses on people 65 and older and people age 16 and older with medical conditions that put them at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
People who meet the criteria can register for the waitlist online at HoustonEmergency.org/covid19. Registration is also available by phone to people age 60 and older through the Area Agency on Aging at 832-393-4301. People with disabilities can call the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 832-393-5500. Anyone else needing registration assistance can contact the COVID-19 call center at 832-393-4220.
The department’s waitlist was previously open to people age 65 and older and people age 60 and older with chronic health conditions. The waitlist expansion ensures more members of the community who are eligible for the vaccine have access.
The NRG Park community vaccination site fully opened on Feb. 24. It will fully-vaccinate approximately 126,000 people by serving 6,000 per day seven days per week for three weeks before transitioning to second doses for three weeks. The Houston Health Department schedules 3,000 people per day for vaccination at the site using its waitlist.
Harris County Public Health also schedules 3,000 appointments per day at the NRG Park site. Criteria and registration for the Harris County waitlist is available on the website run by the Harris County Public Health Department or by calling 832-927-8787.
The health department will continue prioritizing people from its high-risk zip codes when scheduling appointments. Houston’s high risk zip codes are geographic areas with people more vulnerable to severe COVID-19 illness as identified by positivity rate, underlying health condition, economic, and social data.
Harris County
Updated: March 1, 2021
Harris County launched a COVID-19 vaccine waitlist, which anyone can add their name to. However, only those who qualify under Phase 1A or 1B will be contacted to schedule an appointment when more slots open up.
People will be selected for a vaccine slot based on a prioritized and randomized process. As more groups are authorized by the state of Texas, appointments will then be offered to them.
For those without computer access, you can call 832-927-8787 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday to Saturday. Help is available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Montgomery County
Updated: March 1, 2021
The county health department says you can sign up for the vaccine waitlist by calling 936-523-3916.
The county said the hotline operates Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you are eligible, sign up now by visiting the Montgomery County’s website. Additional information and resources can be found at mcphd-tx.org.
Brazoria County
Updated: March 1, 2021
All online vaccine appointment slots have been filled. A few phone-in appointments at the Alvin Clinic (281-585-3024) are available for Phase 1B individuals that have limited technology access.
Residents can join the vaccine waitlist at utmb.edu/covid-19/vaccine.
(To Receive Notifications on Your Cell Phone When Vaccines are Available Download the FREE ReadyBrazoria App)
Residents are urged to check the Brazoria County’s website often as more slots are added.
Fort Bend County
Updated: Feb. 9, 2021
Fort Bend County Judge K.P. George announced the county has received a large shipment of vaccines from the state for individuals in groups 1A and 1B.
Eligible residents can pre-register at fbchealth.org.
George reminded residents to keep an eye on their spam/junk folders in their email and calls from unknown numbers to assure everyone who pre-registers gets the correct information to book an appointment.
Residents can call Fort Bend County’s vaccine hotline at 832-471-1363 for further questions and assistance.
Galveston County
Updated: Feb. 5, 2021
The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston County Health District, and Galveston County joined together to create one COVID-19 vaccine waitlist, which anyone can sign up for.
For those who may not have internet access or a working email address, a phone bank can assist them with the waitlist registration process. They will be asked to provide an email and cell phone number for a relative or close friend to ensure they receive scheduling notifications. The phone bank can be reached at 877-389-2318 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Signing up on the waitlist does not mean you are scheduled for a vaccine appointment. What it means is that you will be contacted when it is your turn based on age and medical conditions.
Vaccines are being administered at the Galveston County Health District in Texas City.