COVID-19 Vaccine Information | Harris County Public Health | Texas

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Beginning June 24th, COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months of age and older will be available at all HCPH vaccination sites. All vaccinations provided by HCPH are free and appointments are not required.

Parents who would like to schedule an appointment may do so through ReadyHarris.org or vacstrac.hctx.net beginning Monday, June 27th. Call 832-927-8787 or sign up online to schedule your child's appointment.

Make sure to check out our local provider list for additional vaccination opportunities.

NOTICE: If you lost your COVID-19 vaccination card and need one, please call 832-927-8787 for assistance.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccine Information

The COVID-19 vaccine is here. Several vaccines have been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Learn more below. 

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: This vaccine is approved by the FDA and authorized for emergency use in individuals 6 months and older. Pfizer vaccination is administered as a 2-dose primary series for most people or a 3-dose primary series for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. In children ages 6 months through 4 years old the Pfizer vaccine is administered as a 3-dose primary series. Clinical trial data show that the vaccine is 95 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 infection starting seven days after the second dose. Individuals will not be considered fully protected until two weeks after the final dose in the primary series. 
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine: This vaccine is approved by the FDA and authorized for emergency use in individuals 6 months through 5 years old and persons 18 years and older. Moderna vaccination is administered as a 2-dose primary series for most people or a 3-dose primary series for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. Clinical trial data show the vaccine is about 94 percent effective after the second dose. 
Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine: This vaccine is authorized for emergency use in individuals 18 years of age and older for whom other FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate, and individuals 18 years of age and older who elect to receive the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine because they would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine can cause blood clots with low levels of platelets (blood cells that help your body stop bleeding), which may be fatal. This vaccine can be administered as a single dose primary vaccination, a single booster dose after completing a primary vaccination with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine or a single booster dose after completing primary vaccination with a different authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. Clinical trial data show that this vaccine is about 72 percent effective in preventing mild and moderate COVID-19 infections and 85 percent effective at preventing severe disease.

Find Providers Near You

Do you qualify for the current phase of distribution? Get vaccinated at HCPH or explore local COVID-19 vaccine providers in your area.

Become An Outreach Partner

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, public health experts and organizations have been battling misinformation. It is not surprising that as COVID-19 vaccines have become available, misinformation and vaccine hesitancy are also on the rise.

Our goal is to team up with trusted community leaders to educate Harris County residents with facts rooted in science about these vaccines. We know that we cannot undertake this task alone, so we ask you to join us to build our community's trust and confidence in the vaccine and better our chances of ending this devastating pandemic.

Find out more in the COVID-19 Vaccine Partner Outreach guide below.

COVID-19 Vaccine Partner Outreach

Equitable Vaccine Distribution

HCPH recognizes that as a community, we will only reach herd immunity if access to resources is efficient, fair, and equitable. Learn more about equity in vaccine registration, distribution, and outreach as well as how data helps identify areas with high COVID-19 vulnerability.

COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Strategy Summary

How To Be A COVID-19 Vaccine Champion In Your Community!

COVID-19 Vaccine Documents

About the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

About the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

About the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine

Download Guidance

About COVID-19 Virus Mutations

Myths, Misconceptions, and Facts

As news circulates around the creation and administration of the COVID-19 vaccines, HCPH encourages you to review facts and information from sources you trust. Below are links to several resources that offer details about common misconceptions or questions surrounding COVID-19 vaccination.

Helpful Links

Healthcare Providers and Professionals

Are you a healthcare provider or professional looking for information on COVID-19 vaccination and distribution? Find details about enrolling as a provider, training programs, and more in our Guidance for Healthcare Professionals resources.

Download Vaccine FAQs

More Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) guidance can be found here.

Vaccine FAQs: General Population

Vaccine FAQs: Immunity

Vaccine FAQs: Safety

Vaccine FAQs: Pregnant Women

About the COVID-19 Vaccine

How is the vaccine administered?

The COVID-19 vaccine is given as a shot, similar to your annual flu vaccine. The majority of vaccines currently undergoing trials require two shots to be effective, with these shots given a few weeks apart.

Why should I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Based on what we know about vaccines for other diseases, health experts believe that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help keep you from getting seriously sick. Getting the vaccine is a safer and more controlled way to build protection since there is no way to predict how COVID-19 will affect you. Research has shown that the vaccine is safe and effective.

How much does it cost?

It is free! The federal government will cover the cost of the COVID-19 vaccine. Health care providers may charge you an office visit fee, or a fee to give the vaccine. Health insurance most likely will cover these fees.

Distribution

Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

At this time, we urge residents to seek the vaccine for their primary healthcare provider or find other local COVID-19 vaccine providers here. You can also join through Harris County Public Health' here.

As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes largely available to the public, we encourage you to reach out to your local hospitals, primary care physician, clinics, and even nearby pharmacies. Learn more in the AskHCPH video for Español, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Arabic.

Who will be distributing the vaccine? Who is giving the shots?

The state of Texas will be responsible for distributing the COVID-19 vaccine to local communities. Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has more than 1,000 partners who will receive shipments and vaccinate people when the time comes.

What should I do while waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine?

As we wait for the COVID-19 vaccine to become available to the general public, we must remain vigilant in practicing safety measures like wearing face coverings, social distancing, and hand-washing. Learn more in the AskHCPH video for Español, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Arabic.

Safety and Effectiveness

The COVID-19 vaccine was created quickly. Is it safe?

Yes, it is safe! Although it may seem that creating COVID-19 vaccines has been rushed, safety has been a top priority every step of the way. Vaccine manufacturers have passed through many difficult steps during the vaccine approval process. Clinical trials review vaccine safety and effectiveness, producing data and other information for the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to evaluate. No vaccine is available for use in the U.S. until it meets the FDA’s safety standards.

Even after the FDA approves COVID-19 vaccines for use, they will continue to monitor possible side effects. There are many systems in place to report bad reactions and side effects. When people report them, scientists and medical experts quickly study them to determine a real safety concern.

What are the side effects of the vaccine?

Experiencing side effects is a sign that your body is building immunity. It is normal to experience minor side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Some of the common side effects include pain or swelling on the arm where you received the shot. You may also experience fever, chills, tiredness or a headache. Even if you experience these minor symptoms, it is important that you still get the second dose of the vaccine. Getting two doses is the only way to ensure that you have protection from COVID-19.

What serious side effects should I watch for after getting the COVID-19 vaccine?

In most cases, experiencing a fever or pain at the injection site is normal. Contact your doctor or healthcare provider:

If the redness or tenderness where you received the shot increases after 24 hours
If your side effects remain after a few days

In rare cases, the Moderna vaccine causes a severe allergic reaction, usually within a few minutes to an hour after getting the vaccine. Contact your healthcare provider immediately or call 911.

Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include:
Difficulty breathing
Swelling of your face and throat
A fast heartbeat
A bad rash all over your body
Dizziness and weakness

If I get sick after receiving the first dose of the vaccine, should I still get the second dose?

Unless you develop signs or symptoms that indicate you should not take the vaccine after the first dose, you should complete the series even if you develop the post-vaccination side effects to protect against COVID-19. Early studies show vaccine recipients have experienced some side effects after each dose, more so after the second dose.

Will the vaccine be effective if I wait longer than the recommended time between the first and second doses?

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine at the recommended time is very important. Vaccine manufacturers establish the timeframe based on extensive scientific research to ensure maximum protection against COVID-19. Learn more in the AskHCPH video below.

Vaccine Production

Why were other countries able to produce a COVID-19 vaccine before the United States?

Each country has its own review process and regulations. This process in the United States is very stringent so once scientists and medical experts have determined that the vaccine meets the safety requirements outlined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), then the COVID-19 vaccine will be available for use and production. Learn more in the AskHCPH video for Español, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Arabic.

What is an "EUA" from the FDA?

"EUA" stands for an Emergency Use Authorization. It is the process that allows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to quickly distribute medical products - including vaccines, medications, etc. - to those in need during public health emergencies. Under an EUA, the FDA may allow the use of unapproved medical products in an emergency to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious of life-threatening illnesses. Learn more in the AskHCPH video for Español, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Arabic.

Providers

How can my healthcare facility become a provider of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Professionals and facilities may enroll as a COVID-19 vaccine provider at EnrollTexasIZ.dshs.texas.gov. For full details on requirements and the registration process, visit DSHS's Provider Vaccine Information resources. More information can also be found in HCPH's Guidance for Healthcare Professionals.

Other

Will the COVID-19 vaccine completely end the pandemic?

While the vaccine is the best way to prevent more people from contracting COVID-19, reduce hospital stays, and minimize deaths related to the virus, it will not automatically end the pandemic. Even if the entire population were to take the vaccine, not everyone can get vaccinated at the same time. Because of this, all of the other preventative measures - like social distancing and wearing face coverings - will need to remain in place until a substantial number of people are vaccinated. Learn more in the AskHCPH video below.

Download Social Media Toolkit

In an effort to share awareness of COVID-19 vaccination within our community, social media toolkits are available for download and can be shared on your own social media platforms. Find them here.

Download Toolkits