Mayor Turner announces opening of city’s first COVID-19 vaccine site to the public

HOUSTON Mayor Sylvester Turner announced on Friday that the Houston Health Department is opening the first COVID-19 vaccine site to the public.

The free vaccination clinic will provide access to the general public at high risk of serious illness and death from the coronavirus.

“We are working efficiently to vaccinate eligible frontline workers and vulnerable Houstonians,” said Turner. “The virus has taken its toll, especially among the elderly and black and brown communities. The vaccine is our best effort to prevent people from getting sick and potentially suffering serious consequences. “

Here’s how it will work:

To make an appointment to receive the Moderna vaccine, call the COVID-19 call center of the city’s health department at 832-393-4220 between the house from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm starting Saturday.

Each person is given a location and an appointment time to be vaccinated. The health department says it will screen people when they first drive into the clinic area, direct them to a secure area to receive the vaccination, and monitor them for any side effects for 15 minutes, according to a press release.

Who is eligible for the vaccine in the clinic?

Texas’s Phase 1B Distribution Plan will prioritize people 65 and older and people 16 and older, who have at least one chronic medical condition, putting them at increased risk, according to a release.

Medical conditions include the following: cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, solid organ transplantation, obesity and severe obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, and type 2 diabetes.

The publication also stated that primary care health professionals are eligible for vaccination as part of the Phase 1A distribution that began in mid-December.

The Houston Health Department will announce additional free vaccination options as the supply increases.

According to the publication, people who qualify should contact their medical provider or use the Texas Department of State Health Services online map to find and call vaccine providers.

Click here for more information on COVID-19 vaccines.