Texas Is Already Distributing Vaccine And Will Continue As More Becomes Available
The Texas Commissioner of Health appointed an Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel of subject matter experts to make recommendations on vaccine allocation decisions. This includes identifying groups that should be vaccinated first. The goal is to provide the most protection to vulnerable populations and critical state resources.
Other groups will receive vaccines in coming months, as more vaccines are made available. Check back here often for the latest information on vaccine availability in Texas.
School And Licensed Child Care Personnel:
With the federal directive, the following education and child care personnel are now eligible to be vaccinated in Texas:
Those who work in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools
Head Start and Early Head Start programs and
Those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers.
Additional information for educators and school staff is available in the Texas Education Agency K-12 COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ.
What Does The Cdc Recommend For People Who Have Been Fully Vaccinated
On May 13, the CDC updated its guidance for fully vaccinated people including new guidance that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Read the full guidance.
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New Program In Houston Offers Up To $150 For Getting Vaccinated Against Covid
HOUSTON – Those who get vaccinated against COVID-19 in Houston could receive up to $150 in gift cards.
Houston City Council approved the new incentive program in a 15-2 vote on Wednesday.
Beginning Thursday, those receiving their first dose at eligible Houston Health Department sites will receive a $100 gift card. Those who get the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine will get a $50 gift card with their second dose.
To qualify for the second dose incentive, people must have received their first dose on or after August 2, 2021, at an eligible health department site and complete the series within 42 days.
Additional doses and booster shots do not qualify for the incentive. Participants will have to sign a sworn declaration affirming they are eligible for the program.
Getting vaccinated is free and does not require ID, proof of residency, citizenship, or insurance. Minors will need parental consent forms.
According to the health department, the new incentive program will be funded by $3.125 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and will provide $150 worth of gift cards to 20,000 people who get fully vaccinated.
to see a list of eligible vaccination sites.
Va Continues Masking Requirement At All Va Facilities Nationally
Veteran and employee safety continue to be our top concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to require face coverings for everyone Veterans, employees and visitors entering a VA facility. This policy remains in place at all VA facilities even if state or local masking requirements change.
We encourage you to bring a face covering when you visit VA. If you do not have a face covering, we can provide one for use while you are here.
Veterans can enter the enter the facility through the Main Entrance, the Spinal Cord Injury Entrance, and the Community Living Center Entrance, and will be screened. We are also continuing to practice physical distancing, frequent handwashing, and other safety measures for your, and our employees, safety.
If you are hearing impaired and need to read lips, please let a VA employee know and we will accommodate your needs.
You can read more on the impact of masks on slowing the spread of COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
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Risks Of The Covid Vaccine
All vaccines come with potential risks and side effects. The most common side effects associated with vaccines are low-grade fever, malaise, and redness and pain at the injection site. More than 50% of people who received early COVID-19 vaccines reported experiencing mild short-term side effects including fever, headache, muscle aches, and reactions at the injection site.
Who Can Get A Covid
Anyone who’s age 18 and older is now eligible for a booster shot. People who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as their primary dose can receive any of the three approved COVID-19 vaccines as their booster shot at least two months after they first got vaccinated. People who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine are allowed to get a booster shot at least six months after completing their initial two-shot vaccination series.
He came and talked for like two hours, she said. Educating them, how the virus works, how the vaccine works, how the vaccine helps. Because it was very new. But he brought flyers for them, answered their questions and their concerns.
With vaccine misinformation exploding through social media, Litwin offered a familiar face for employees and spoke clearly and with authority, they said. He explained why the vaccine is safe and why he trusted it.
People dont know what to believe any more, Litwin said. I have more years of scientific training than anyone should ever have and its hard for me to figure out whats going on online sometimes. I understand the fear.
Arevalo, still unvaccinated at that point, had questions about whether the vaccine would lead to issues down the road with pregnancy or infertility.
I would give it to my sons right away if it was approved for kids, Litwin said.
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What Share Of The Population Has Been Fully Vaccinated Against Covid
The following chart shows the share of the total population that has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This represents the share that have received all doses prescribed by the vaccination protocol. If a person receives the first dose of a 2-dose vaccine, this metric stays the same. If they receive the second dose, the metric goes up by 1.
This data is only available for countries which report the breakdown of doses administered by first and second doses.
Lunes A Jueves De 8 Am A 5 Pm Y Viernes De 8 Am A 12 Pm
Todas las personas mayores de 12 años son actualmente elegibles para vacunarse en el Estado de Texas. En estos momentos, la primera y segunda dosis de la vacuna COVID-19 así como la tercera dosis para pacientes inmunocomprometidos, se aplican sin costo alguno y tampoco se requiere de un seguro de gastos médicos. Sin embargo, si has visitado al médico para solicitar una prescripción para una tercera dosis de la vacuna COVID-19, si habrá un costo por administrarla. Por favor consúltalo con tu compañía de seguros de gastos médicos.
Los menores de edad entre 12 y 17 años deben ser acompañados a la cita de vacunación por uno de los padres o representante legal y firmar la carta de consentimiento por ellos. Si otro adulto está acompañando al menor, deberá presentar una carta firmada por los padres o tutores otorgándole el permiso para dar su consentimiento en nombre del menor.
Hacer clic en el botón que aparece abajo para registrarse para la vacuna Pfizer contra el COVID-19.
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Who Qualifies For An Additional Dose
On August 12, the FDA authorized an additional vaccine dose for certain immunocompromised individuals as part of its Emergency Use Authorization amendment. The amendment applies to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for patients 12 years and older and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for patients 18 years and older. Due to insufficient data, the EUA amendment for an additional dose does not apply to the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine or to individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as a primary series. The CDC and FDA are actively engaged to ensure that immunocompromised individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine have optimal vaccine protection and we expect to hear more guidance in the near future.
For more clinical information on this topic, please visit the CDC Resource Center.
Where Can I Get Covid Vaccine In Houston
The COVID vaccine is currently available to eligible individuals through health clinics, hospitals, health departments, pharmacies, and doctors offices including urgent care centers. COVID vaccine locations in Houstonas well as the availability of appointments and doses at each locationare changing daily. Solv, through partnership with vaccingfinder.org and others, is actively maintaining the list of providers above and is refreshing at least daily, so check back frequently. Additionally, check directly with vaccine providers near Houston as last minute availability for eligible populations sometimes opens up.
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Vaccine Development: Vaccines Approved For Use And In Clinical Trials
The speed at which the first COVID-19 vaccines were developed was extraordinary. We have previously looked into the history of vaccine development. The measles vaccine was found relatively rapidly: it took only 10 years from the discovery of the pathogen to the development of the first vaccine. But for typhoid it took more than a century, and for some diseases for which weve known the pathogens for more than a century we still havent found an effective vaccine.
The development of a vaccine against COVID-19 has been much faster than the development of any other vaccine. Within less than a year several successful vaccines have already been announced and were approved for use in some countries.
The hope is that even more manufacturers develop vaccines for COVID-19. This will be important because eventually a very large share of the world population needs to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
We are on the way to several vaccines against COVID-19 vaccine trackers monitor the progress:
Several institutions maintain websites on which they list COVID-19 candidate vaccines that are currently being developed:
| Oxford/AstraZeneca, Sinopharm/Beijing, Sinovac, Sputnik V |
Nearly 1 In 4 Houston Companies Say They Will Require Covid Vaccination
Following the recent rise in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the Houston region, 23% of member companies polled by the Partnership say they are currently or will soon require at least some of their employees get vaccinated. Another 30% of respondents say they do not currently have a mandate but are considering one, while the remaining 46% said they are not contemplating a mandate.
The Partnership surveyed its member companies in a poll conducted over the last week. A total of 147 companies responded covering a cross section of industries, from energy and finance to manufacturing and professional services. Sixty-three percent of the respondents have 50 or more employees and 29% have more than 500 employees.
The number of companies now planning a vaccine requirement is up markedly since early June when the Partnership last surveyed its members on COVID. At that time, just 8% of companies were instituting an employee mandate.
Of the companies that have implemented or announced a vaccine mandate and answered a question about repercussions, 35% indicated that termination will be the penalty for noncompliance. But roughly 22% said they would attempt to work with the employees to find solutions, including extended work-from-home and other measures.
Among the 46% of companies saying they will not institute a vaccine mandate, reasons cited include concerns over turnover, confidence in other safety measures and prioritizing personal choice.
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Why Are Only Patients Who Are Immunocompromised Eligible For An Additional Dose At This Time
According to the CDC, studies show that some people who are immunocompromised dont build adequate levels of protection after receiving their 2-dose initial mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. With the Delta variant surging and cases of COVID-19 increasing significantly across the United States, an additional dose could help prevent serious and possibly life-threatening COVID-19 infection in immunocompromised people.
How Is Cvs Health Prepared To Deal With Possible Allergic Reactions To The Vaccine
CVS Health immunizers are trained in the safe administration of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use by the FDA, including identifying and treating allergic reactions. The vaccination procedures include a patient screening checklist to assess the risk of reaction. All patients are monitored for 15 minutes after administration injection, or longer for people with a history of severe allergic reactions. Our immunizers are equipped with appropriate medications, such as epinephrine and antihistamines. Further information on COVID-19 Vaccines and allergic reactions can be found here
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Who Is Phase 1b
People 65 years of age and older
People 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to:
Cancer
COPD
Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
Solid-organ transplantation
Obesity and severe obesity
Pregnancy
People 50 to 64 years of age
Does Immunity/protection After Getting Sick With Covid
At this time, experts do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. The immunity someone gains from having an infection, called natural immunity, varies from person to person. Some early evidence suggests natural immunity may not last very long.
Both natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity are important aspects of COVID-19 that experts are trying to learn more about, and CDC will keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available.
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Questions To Ask Your Doctor About The Covid Vaccine
- When should I come back for my second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?
- What side effects could I experience from the COVID vaccine?
- How effective is the COVID vaccine?
- Is it possible for me to get a mild case of COVID-19 after getting the vaccine?
- Can I stop wearing a face mask and practicing social distancing after getting a COVID vaccine?
- How many different COVID vaccines are available?
- What are the ingredients in the COVID vaccine?
- Who should not get a COVID vaccine?
- Can I get more than one type of COVID vaccine if more are available?
- How long will it take before the COVID vaccine takes effect?
$100 Incentive For Those Getting 1st Covid
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announces $100 incentive for vaccination
Harris Co. Judge Lina Hidalgo announced on Tuesday that those who get their first COVID-19 vaccine dose at a Harris County Public Health site can receive $100.
HOUSTON – Residents who get their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine from a Harris County Public Health site before August 31 will receive $100.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced the incentive program on Tuesday and said it goes into effect immediately.
“The Delta very continues to spread like wildfire throughout Harris County. It is straining our hospital system. Its hospitalizing a record number of children, including those without underlying conditions. And it’s harming our unvaccinated population in almost all cases,” Judge Hidalgo says.
HCPH says fully vaccinated people have the greatest protection against the Delta variant.
“We have the power to put this crisis to rest within two to four weeks if each person who does not have the vaccine steps up right now,” Judge Hidalgo said. “We need to close the gap in the vaccinated in Harris County. This is achievable. We can absolutely do this. Over 65% of the eligible population has at least one shot. What are you waiting for? This is in your hands,” Judge Hidalgo said.
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Key Facts About Covid
Studies have shown that COVID-19 vaccines are safe to get and highly effective at preventing you from getting COVID-19. Even if you do get COVID-19, the vaccine prevents you from getting seriously ill. The more people that get vaccinated, the faster we can get back to normal life.
- Theyre safe. Rigorous clinical trials must show that vaccines are safe and effective before theyre authorized for public use. Millions of people have received COVID-19 vaccines, which have undergone the most intensive safety monitoring in US history.
- Theyre effective. All approved vaccines are proven to be highly effective at preventing COVID-19. Based on what we know so far, experts believe that all the approved vaccines will nearly 100% prevent serious illness and death. They may also help protect family, friends, and those around you.
- Theyre free. COVID-19 vaccines will be free for all Americans under the CARES act. The US government has already ordered and paid for hundreds of millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses using US tax dollars to ensure that everyone who wants one can get one.
Beware Of Vaccine Scams
Authorities say scammers are already pretending to have the COVID-19 vaccine and promising to immunize patients for a small fee. But, there should be no charge for the vaccine.
Vaccine providers, whether it be a doctor’s office or hospital, will charge the federal government or a patient’s insurance company. Providers cannot charge the person getting the vaccine.
City of Houston Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Persse says if the provider is not on Texas’ COVID-19 vaccine providers map, don’t go there.
How you can prevent COVID-19 vaccine scams
FOX 26’s Damali Keith has more on scams that are being reported in connection to the COVID-19 vaccine and what you can do to avoid them.
And if you receive unsolicited calls, emails, or ads for the vaccine, they’re likely scammers. The FBI of Houston says they aren’t just after your money, they could be after your personal information. So, do not provide any of your personal information.
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