First Tier

• Paid and unpaid workers in hospital settings working directly with patients who are positive or at high risk for COVID-19. Such as but not limited to:
  • Physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and other support staff (custodial staff, etc.)
  • Additional clinical staff providing supporting laboratory, pharmacy, diagnostic and/or rehabilitation services
  • Others having direct contact with patients or infectious materials
• Long-term care staff working directly with vulnerable residents. Includes:
  • Direct care providers at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and state supported living centers
  • Physicians, nurses, personal care assistants, custodial, food service staff
• EMS providers who engage in 9-1-1 emergency services like pre-hospital care and transport
• Home health care workers, including hospice care, who directly interface with vulnerable and high-risk patients
• Residents of long-term care facilities

Second Tier

• Staff in outpatient care settings who interact with symptomatic patients. Such as but not limited to:
  • Physicians, nurses, and other support staff (custodial staff, etc.)
  • Clinical staff providing diagnostic, laboratory, and/or rehabilitation services
  • Non 9-1-1 transport for routine care
  • Healthcare workers in corrections and detention facilities
• Direct care staff in freestanding emergency medical care facilities and urgent care clinics
• Community pharmacy staff who may provide direct services to clients, including vaccination or testing for individuals who may have COVID
• Public health and emergency response staff directly involved in administration of COVID testing and vaccinations
• Last responders who provide mortuary or death services to decedents with COVID-19. Includes:
  • Embalmers and funeral home workers who have direct contact with decedents 
  • Medical examiners and other medical certifiers who have direct contact with decedents
• School nurses who provide health care to students and teachers

Source: Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Phase 1A Definition

• 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
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
  • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
  • Solid organ transplantation
  • Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Source: Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Phase 1B Definition

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.

At this time, HCPH has a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines that is designated to those working in hospitals, healthcare facilities as well as residents at long-term care facilities as they are the highest risk groups.

For a full breakdown of how the vaccine is being distributed, please visit the Texas Department of State Health Services.

At some point in 2021, there should be enough COVID-19 vaccines in production for everyone - not just healthcare workers! It will be provided at pharmacies and doctors' officers, like other vaccines.

Until then, it is encouraged to continue protecting yourself and others by wearing a mask, practicing good hygiene, social distancing, and getting tested. Find more guidance here.

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.

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.

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.