I’m Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine. Now What?

Learn how to register for your COVID-19 vaccine, and why it’s a good idea to get vaccinated.

Pregnant people are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) “recommends that COVID-19 vaccines should NOT be withheld from pregnant individuals.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) say pregnant people are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, compared to non-pregnant people. Most pregnant people who contract COVID-19 do well, but according to the CDC, severe illness for pregnant people can mean the increased likelihood of the following:

Hospitalization
Intensive Care Unit admissions
Mechanical ventilation
Preterm birth
Death

Register Now!

To get your vaccine, you must register. Follow the links below to get started:

For Dallas County click here.

For Tarrant County click here.

What to Expect After You Have Registered

People are prioritized based on the Department of Health and Human Service criteria. Pregnant people in Texas are eligible now as category 1B. After registering, you will be contacted by one of several county hubs to schedule your vaccination appointment. Most appointments work on a first-come-first-serve basis so depending on when you register you will need to wait your turn – but you will be prioritized over those who are not yet eligible or those who register after you do.

When you are contacted for scheduling, you will be told where to go and what time to show up. You may or may not know immediately which vaccine you are getting. There are three available now:

Pfizer
Moderna
Johnson and Johnson

Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses; J&J is only one dose.

Getting Your Second Dose

If you get a two-dose vaccine, you do not have to re-register to get your second dose. When you get your first dose, you will receive a vaccination card that shows the type of vaccine you received and when you received it. You will also be told the date of your second dose and will return to the same location as your first dose. You may have to make a second appointment to do this, but you won’t have to go through the registration process again.

Note: You need your vaccine card from your first dose to get your second! Don’t forget it.

FAQs

How well does the vaccine work?

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines report being 95% effective at preventing serious COVID-19 infection and hospitalization. (Woot!)

Are the vaccines safe?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a known and proven process for vaccine approval, and while the COVID-19 vaccines have been made available quickly, no important safety steps were skipped.

Can the vaccine give you the virus?

No. None of the available vaccines contain the live virus. People who get the vaccine are not contagious from the vaccine, nor can they spread the virus to others because they were vaccinated.

I already had COVID-19, do I still need the vaccine?

Yes. The vaccine is still recommended for people who have had the virus. Research is still unclear as to how long immunity lasts, or to what extent a person is protected from natural exposure to the virus. There have been cases of reinfection. COVID-19 variants are also on the rise. It is unknown at this time how effective a previous infection is against the Covid variants.

Will I feel sick after the vaccine?

Possibly. Some people have reported feeling flu-like symptoms after their first or second dose. These symptoms are generally mild and go away quickly. Feeling a little crummy after the vaccine means it is working and has engaged your immune system. It does not mean you got COVID from the vaccine.

Already, millions of people (including pregnant individuals) have received the vaccine to prevent COVID-19. It is effective. It is safe. If you have concerns, speak with your doctor. They will most likely tell you to go get your COVID-19 vaccine, and to do with it a smile!