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After covering the #covid19 vaccine rollout for the past 48 hours, the main thing I’ve learned is this: outside of frontline medical personnel, hospital system VIPs, & the separate federal nursing home rollout, it’s sort of each man for himself. 1/
If you’re a patient-facing medical worker for a major hospital: Methodist, Hermann, HCA, etc. You probably already got a #Covid19 vaccine last week. Next best bet is to be staff, volunteer, or board member for a hospital chain. 2/ https://abc13.com/mayor-sylvester-turner-covid-19-vaccine-moderna-arrives-at-memorial-hermann-what-is-phase-1b/9145392
Next best bet: being a medical worker in private practice or a staffer. Smaller Doc. groups, Next Level & other urgent care chains, @HEB & other local pharmacies will administer vaccine if you have a medical ID. 3/
If you are not a medical worker, married to a medical worker, don’t belong on a hospital board, & you don’t live in a nursing home, here’s how to figure out if you can get a vaccine soon: Check your email & your parents’ email. 4/
Large chains like Hermann, Methodist, & a few others have started emailing their regular patients who are seniors with links to previous vaccine slots. 5/
But the slots go quickly. A check of Hermann’s appointment portal shows no slots tonight. Doctors on the ball direct messaged their patients to book, others didn’t get the nudge. 6/
I also recommend checking your drugstore & nearby urgent care websites for your older relatives who may not be tech savvy. When slots open, you need to jump on it. Have their medical info ready so they can be registered quickly. 7/
Also @TexasHHSC has a map of ALL facilities that are administering vaccines. Do your elderly/sick relatives use any of these facilities? Call them and ask to get on a list. You MUST advocate for your loved ones. 8/ https://txdshs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=91ac7fb5e5fd47e7ada4acfe4a05920a
I don’t want to sound like you need to work to find your elderly mother a slot before your neighbor’s mom, but that is sort of where we’re at for people with no direct hospital connections. And I will say, we’re lucky that we have options in Houston! 9/
Houston area hospitals, pharmacies, doctors, nurses, & staff are generally doing amazing work. Our vaccine rollout is pretty good, considering there isn’t enough doses. And if you’re offered a dose, don’t be shy. Take it. 10/end
Addendum: Reminder that nursing homes & independent living facilities are directed by a separate federal program. They should be getting vaccines this week and next. Check on it for your mom! I took this Pfizer vaccine pic today at Brookdale.
