Jago Times "English Edition" Best Online Newspaper
Current status
While only people eligible in the state’s 1A and 1B phases are getting shots today, local officials urge that everyone, regardless of status, go ahead and register at least in their county. It is permissible to register in any county, and registering in multiple counties may improve chances of getting vaccinated as soon as possible.
We know there’s a lot of information out there about how to get the vaccine, and we’re here to help you navigate it. As your one-stop-shop for the latest news and developments on the vaccine, here’s what you need to know before you go:
Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine in Dallas-Fort Worth?
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/dmn/TNVYXM22GFFALETTTZDSN5F3FE.png)
Vaccination Hubs
Several places in North Texas have been designated as COVID-19 vaccination hubs by the state health department. People eligible for a vaccine do not have to live in those counties to be vaccinated at a hub.
Dallas County: Register online or by calling 469-749-9900.
Tarrant County: Register online or by calling 817-248-6299.
Collin County: Register online.
Denton County: Register online or by calling 940-349-2585.
Pharmacies
Albertsons: Appointment availability can be checked online.
CVS: Vaccines will be available soon at some locations. You can check the CVS website for updates.
H-E-B Pharmacy: Appointments can be scheduled online when vaccines are available.
Kroger: Appointment availability can be checked online.
Tom Thumb: Appointment availability can be checked online. People can also sign up to receive updates about vaccine availability.
Walgreens: Vaccines will be available soon at some locations. You can check the Walgreens website for updates.
City hubs
Garland Health Department: Register online or by calling 972-205-3900
Others
For other locations, check our expanded location guide.
See a map of vaccine availability across the state.
When can I get the vaccine?
The state health department has broken down vaccine distribution into three stages — limited supply, additional supply and broad supply. Texas is currently in the limited-supply stage.
Residents are divided into phases 1, 2 and 3, and the first phase is further divided into 1A, 1B and 1C.
Phase 1A eligibility requirements
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/dmn/IBDZH37J5VDV3PGHDU5WF4APRQ.png)
- Do you work in a hospital setting, as an EMS provider or as a home health care worker?
- Do you work directly with patients who have the coronavirus or are at high risk for serious illness if they get COVID-19?
- Do you work or live in a facility that provides long-term care for vulnerable residents?
- Are you a public health or emergency response staff member involved with administering COVID-19 testing or vaccinations?
- Are you employed as a last responder who provides mortuary services to decedents with COVID-19?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may qualify for a vaccine under Phase 1A. Skip ahead to “Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine in D-FW?” to see where you can register to get the vaccine.
Phase 1B eligibility requirements
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/dmn/R5E3BUB2NFFZZASN5Q3T23OJLY.png)
- Are you 65 years of age or older?
- Are you 16 years of age or older with one of the following conditions?
- cancer
- chronic kidney disease
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- certain heart conditions like heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
- solid organ transplantation
- obesity or severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
- sickle cell disease
- pregnancy
- type 2 diabetes
- Are you 16 years of age or older with a chronic medical condition not listed above that may put you at risk for severe illness?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may qualify for a vaccine under Phase 1B. Skip ahead to “Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine in D-FW?” to see where you can register to get the vaccine.
Phase 1C
Health officials have not released details on Phase 1C eligibility requirements yet. Many expect this phase to begin in spring.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/dmn/BZP5OD5RTZEP3PYWJR2YU7YYRM.png)
Which vaccines are available? What’s the difference?
There are currently two vaccines available to Texans, one from Pfizer-BioNTech and one from Moderna. Both were made with mRNA, or messenger RNA, technology. The groundbreaking technology teaches the body how to create a protein, which in turn generates antibodies and immune cells. That’s different from how other vaccines are made.
How much does it cost?
The vaccine is free, regardless of insurance status. Learn more here.
What are the side effects and how safe is the vaccine?
Like most vaccines, the Pfizer and Moderna shots may cause mild side effects: pain, swelling and redness in the arm where the dose was received. People also may experience chills, fatigue and headaches.
In clinical trials of both vaccines, mild to moderate side effects within a week of vaccination were common, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Most side effects, however, usually occur within a day or two and go away in a few days.
Of more than 4 million first doses of the Moderna shot given between Dec. 21 and Jan. 10, only 1,266 serious side effects were reported, or about 0.03% of all people who received a first dose during that time, according to the CDC.
Of more than 1.8 million first doses of the Pfizer shot administered between Dec. 14 and Dec. 23, only 4,393 serious side effects were reported, or about 0.2% of all people who received a first dose during that time, according to the CDC.
For more information, check our side effects guide.
What are some common misconceptions?
We know there’s a lot of information out there, so we asked North Texas doctors to weigh in on some common myths about the vaccine. Here’s what they told us.
Do North Texans have to prove they have underlying health conditions to get the vaccine?
Health care providers have access to medical records, but state- or locally run vaccination sites don’t.
Officials want to target those at higher risk of serious illness with the initial rollout, but they don’t want to complicate the vaccination process. Bottom line, officials are relying on an honor system. Experts say the last thing they want to do is disenfranchise people who may be turned away and never come back.
Do I need a second shot?
For maximum immunity, you’ll need to have two doses. You also don’t want to mix and match vaccines, experts say. It’s important to receive the doses exactly as they were tested in clinical trials. Read more about that here.
Who should and shouldn’t get the vaccine?
If you have an active COVID-19 infection, you should wait to receive the vaccine. The CDC says you should wait until your symptoms are better or until the recommended isolation period is over before getting your shot.
Children under age 16 are not recommended for the Pfizer shot. The Moderna shot is approved for those 18 and older.
The CDC says there is limited data on how pregnant women are affected by the COVID-19 vaccines, but that limited data available have not raised any safety concerns. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious-disease expert, has said so far there have been “no red flags.”
The CDC has few restriction recommendations for who should not get the vaccine. You can read them for Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.
Is there anything people should not do in the hours or days before and after getting shots?
There are several things people should keep in mind before they get vaccinated.
Dr. Philip Huang, Dallas County’s health director, has said it’s unclear how the coronavirus shots may interact with other vaccinations, so people should not receive another inoculation in the 30 days beforehand.
He also recommended that people who have COVID-19 or have recently been exposed to someone who’s infected wait for before getting inoculated — 90 days if the person is positive for COVID-19 or until the end of a self-quarantine period if they’ve been exposed.
Can I spread COVID-19 if I’m fully vaccinated?
The answer is not clear yet. COVID-19 vaccines help protect patients against serious illness, health experts say. But researchers are still collecting data on whether someone can spread the virus after being fully vaccinated.
That means it’s possible that a vaccinated person could encounter the virus and have enough of it in their body to spread it to others without developing symptoms themselves, health experts say.
How often will I have to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
It’s not known how long immunity lasts after someone is fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.
It could end up being a yearly vaccine, like the influenza shot, or it could require a booster dose every few years. More research is needed to know for sure, health experts say.
Do I still have to wear a mask and social distance after I’m fully vaccinated?
Health experts say vaccinated individuals should continue to act as though they are not fully immune.
It’s probably going to take some time before enough of the population is vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, a term that means enough people have immunity to significantly decrease the likelihood of infection in a community.
As long as a large portion of the population isn’t vaccinated, it’s important for people to continue to take steps to protect themselves and others, health experts say.