Texas Provides a Useful Tool For Senior Citizens Covid Vaccinations

The state health department releases a map showing locations of COVID-19 vaccine providers.

Senior Citizens are anxiously awaiting their turn to get their Covid vaccinations. After months of staying at home, grandparents look forward to hugging their grandchildren.

Frontline healthcare workers and those categorized as 1A started receiving vaccines on December 14th.

In Texas, category 1B candidates are eligible for vaccination starting today. Public confidence in vaccination is growing. The problem is no one seems to know where to get them.

Texas category 1B candidates include:

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

The vaccine rollout program is confusing and difficult to navigate. The Texas Department of Health released an interactive tool today to help. Check it out here.

The map allows users to type in their zip code to identify locations offering Covid vaccinations.

Image CC Texas Department of Public Health

We tested the accuracy of the locations by calling several of the listed entities on the map. While each of the listed providers was aware that the health department listed their service site, none of them had any available vaccines for category 1B users.

Senior citizens need to know you qualify for vaccination now. Unfortunately, you are going to have to take a proactive stance until distribution improves. Call various locations and get your name on the lists.

Remember, a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine will not help us get through this winter. Each Pfizer and Moderna vaccine requires two doses with full immunity effective about three weeks after the second dose.

The faster you get your first dose, the closer you are to hugging your grandkids.

Everyone in the world must continue to fight the virus. While we wait, we must continue to do what works to slow the spread. Public health entities must continue to identify exposures, isolate those at risk, test, and treat.

Each American must follow the mitigation strategies to protect themself and others. Stay at home. Wash your hands. Practice social distancing. And remember wearing a mask is the easiest thing we can do to slow the spread of coronavirus and save others’ lives.