Register for COVID-19 Vaccine

As of August 8th, HCPH is providing 1 st and 2nd doses of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine to adults 18 years and older. 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. 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. 

 

BOOSTER DOSES AVAILABLE: Schedule your COVID-19 vaccine shot or booster dose in advance, by calling 832-927-8787 or register online. The registration site is not compatible with Internet Explorer. If you do not have transportation for your vaccination appointment, call 832-927-8787. 


Register for COVID-19 Vaccine

Harris County Public Health's COVID-19 vaccination sites serve walk-ups without appointments. However, appointments are encouraged for quicker service.


Provider Name
Public Phone Number
Public Registration or Website
Harris County Public Health
832-927-8787
Click Here*
Houston Health Department
832-393-4220
Click Here


*This registration app is not compatible with Internet Explorer. Please use a different browser. When you have registered, please allow 15 - 30 minutes for the confirmation email and text message to arrive.


Vaccine Availability and Eligibility 

Following state guidance, Harris County has opened vaccine eligibility to all residents ages 6 months and older. Per the FDA's emergency use authorizations:

  • Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for ages 6 months and older
  • Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for ages 6 months and older
  • Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, adjuvanted for ages 18 years and older
  • Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for ages 18 years and older

How Do I Register?

HCPH is now offering COVID-19 vaccine appointments on demand.

  • Those who register online here (Register Now) can schedule your appointment instantly. You will be able to choose between available days and times, locations, and vaccines.
  • Those who register by phone (832-927-8787) will be able to schedule an appointment date and time when they call.

HCPH Vaccine Registration Guidance:
Helping Older Adults Register for HCPH's COVID Vaccine
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HCPH COVID-19 Vaccinations for Ages 5 - 17
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Local 5 - 17 Year Old Vaccine Provider List
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Vaccination Drive-Thru Information
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What to Expect At A Vaccine Distribution Unit (VDU)
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Please note the steps outlined below are for Harris County Public Health (HCPH) only. Steps for other providers may differ.

 

Step 1. What You Need to Know

In most situations, Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are preferred over the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for primary and booster vaccination due to the risk of rare, but serious adverse events.

  • The Moderna vaccine can be provided to individuals 6 months older. Moderna 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.
  • The Pfizer vaccine can be provided to individuals 6 months or older. Pfizer 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. For children 6 months through 4 years old the Pfizer vaccine is administered as a 3-dose primary series.
  • The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is administered as a single primary dose for most people, or a single primary dose followed by 1 additional mRNA dose for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. 
  • All vaccines through HCPH are free of charge.

Step 2. Making An Appointment

  • Click on the Register Now link to go to HCPH's COVID-19 vaccine app. 
  • Follow the instructions on the app to register for the vaccine. 
  • Once your appointment is scheduled, you will receive a confirmation including QR code. You must bring your QR code with you to the scheduled appointment.

Step 3. Receiving Your Vaccine

If you do not have transportation for your vaccination appointment, please contact the HCPH Vaccine Hotline at 832-927-8787.

  • When arriving to your scheduled appointment...
    • Ensure you have your QR code for staff to scan. This can be printed out or a screenshot from your confirmation email.
    • Follow signs and directions posted to navigate the vaccination site.
  • If, for whatever reason, you are unable to make your appointment and must cancel, you will need to complete the registration process again. Canceled appointments will not be rescheduled. 

Step 4. Scheduling Your Second Dose

Individuals can sign up and schedule instantly. Residents are encouraged to plan for their 2nd dose 3 to 8 weeks after their 1st dose. Learn more here.

Upon completion of your scheduled first dose, you will receive a notification through text and/or email to schedule your 2nd dose closer to the date of your 2nd appointment. If there is no appointment availability, please continue to check the link daily for open appointments until you can sign up.

Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule
The recommended interval between the 1st and 2nd dose:

For people ages 6 months to 64 years old, and especially males ages 12 through 39 years old:

  • 8-week interval for Pfizer and Moderna
    • A longer time between the 1st and 2nd doses may increase how much protection the vaccines offer, and further minimize the rare risk of heart problems, including myocarditis and pericarditis

For people ages 65 and older or 6 months older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised:

  • 3-week interval for Pfizer
  • 4-week interval for Moderna

Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule
The recommended interval between a single primary dose of Johnson & Johnson and an mRNA 2nd dose

For people ages 18 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised:

  • 4-week interval

Step 5. Scheduling Your Booster Dose

A booster dose is given when the immune response to an initial vaccine series has likely to have decreased over time.

1st Booster Dose:
All eligible people ages 5 years and older should receive the 1st booster dose of any FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, a booster is not recommended for any children or teens between the aged of 6 months to 17 years old who have completed the Moderna 2-dose primary series. The interval for the 1st booster dose should follow the interval recommended for the primary series you received. See recommendations below of when you should receive your 1st booster dose:

Pfizer or Moderna:

  • 5 months after completing a 2-dose primary series of Pfizer or Moderna
  • 3 months after completing a 3-dose primary series of Pfizer or Moderna for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised

Johnson & Johnson:

  • 2 months after completing a single primary dose of Janssen
  • 2 months after completing the 2nd (additional) mRNA dose for individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

2nd Booster Dose: 

Residents age 50 and older can get the 2nd COVID-19 booster dose. There are residents in certain groups or situations who can get a 2nd COVID-19 booster according to recent CDC guidance, but HCPH recommends you work with your healthcare provider to help make the best decision for your health situation.

For more information about COVID-19 Vaccine  2nd Booster Doses and to see if you’re eligible, please visit the CDC website.



About COVID-19 Vaccines

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.


Registration FAQ


How do I register without access to Internet or a computer?

If you or a loved one do not have access to Internet or a computer, please use the phone number listed above to schedule your appointment.

Can you walk me through the registration process?

To learn more about the VacsTrac system - Harris County Public Health's (HCPH) COVID-19 vaccine registration application - view the How Do I Register? steps outlined here.


Can I receive my 2nd dose at HCPH if I got my 1st dose from another provider?

If you received your first dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine at another provider, you can still receive your second dose at a vaccine site operated by Harris County Public Health (HCPH). To schedule your appointment, please call the HCPH Vaccine Hotline at 832-927-8787.

What do I do about my appointment if I do not have access to a personal vehicle?

Residents who do not have access to a personal vehicle may still receive vaccines at HCPH vaccination sites. Please call the health department (i.e., Harris County Public Health, Houston Health Department) you registered with for alternative arrangements. For appointments with Harris County Public Health, call the HCPH Vaccine Hotline at 832-927-8787.

What COVID-19 vaccine should I get - Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson & Johnson?

All of the vaccines being offered by Harris County are safe and effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying—especially when boosted. Depending on your age, you can choose which COVID-19 vaccine to get. For adults ages 18 years and older, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) are preferred over Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.  

Currently, the Pfizer & Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are the only COVID-19 vaccine available to children 6 months and older. The primary difference is that Pfizer and Moderna vaccines both require two shots whereas the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be administered in only one shot.  Maximize protection, and get all recommended vaccine doses and boosters as soon as possible.

I lost my vaccine card. Can HCPH help me get a replacement?
Yes! If you lost your vaccine card and need a replacement one, call 832-927-8787. Our call center will help find your vaccination records and provide residents with a replacement card.


Other Providers

If you were unable to schedule vaccination with Harris County Public Health (HCPH), we recommend the resources below for other COVID-19 vaccine providers in the area.



Additional Resources

For more information about COVID-19 vaccinations, please visit the CDC website.