Why Texas’ COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Expansion Means Shots for Harris County Residents Ages 80+

On March 29, Texas will join other states in expanding vaccination distribution. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, this means all Texas adults will be eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine. That’s excellent news for the tens of thousands waiting their turn to get vaccinated.

“This is great news because we should be doing all we can to get all Texans ages 50+ vaccinated,” said AARP Texas Associate State Director of Outreach and Advocacy Shondra E. Wygal. “Everybody who wants the vaccine should be able to get it.”

State officials have also directed vaccine providers to prioritize those aged 80+ when scheduling appointments and allow walk-ins for those without an appointment. That’s precisely what the Harris County Health Department is doing.

“We want to make sure that our seniors are protected from COVID-19 because they are more likely to develop serious complications if they become infected, said Jennifer Kiger, Chief, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response. “We will make every effort to vaccinate them at our sites”. 

According to Harris County Public Health Department (HCPH) Officials, anyone 80 years old or older can now go to any Harris County Public Health site administering the vaccine and get vaccinated. Officials say they do not have to make an appointment. The list of sites is below.

An HCPH vaccine hotline is also available for anyone wanting to get vaccinated. That number is 832-927-8787. Through that same number, you can get transportation assistance should you need it.

List of Local Vaccination sites

• CHI St Lukes Health                            832-844-6352          
  
• Harris County Public Health                832-927-8787          
  
• Houston Health Department                 832-393-4301          
  
• Houston Methodist Hospital                 281-626-5551          
  
• Memorial Hermann Health System      833-772-2864          
  
• UT-Health Houston                              No number provided
  

You can learn more about COVID-19 and the vaccine at aarp.org/txvaccine. You can find that information in Spanish at aarp.org/vacunatx.

Article by: Marc Ray