Vaccination

COVID-19 Vaccine

Texas COVID-19 Vaccine Key Messages

12/30/2020

  • Multiple vaccines are being developed and manufactured in the United States. Currently there are two vaccines that have been cleared through an FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The authorization was based on scientific evidence about their safety and effectiveness gathered through large clinical trials.
  • Currently, there is a limited supply of vaccine being distributed throughout the San Antonio and Bexar County area. As manufacturing ramps up, more healthcare providers and pharmacies will have the vaccine available for administration.
  • Due to the limited supply, the vaccine is being allocated to specific critical populations in each phase. Currently, people who are in Phase 1A and Phase 1B are eligible to receive the vaccine.
  • As vaccine availability increases in 2021, people will be able to get vaccinated at doctor’s offices, pharmacies, hospitals and other “usual” sites.
  • Even after receiving a vaccine, people will need to take precautions like physical distancing and wearing a mask to help stop the spread of COVID-19 as more people get vaccinated and we learn more about the immunity produced by the vaccines.

Vaccination Administration Phases

Limited Supply « We Are Here

  • 1A Workers at:
    • Hospitals
    • Long-Term Care facilities
    • EMS 9-1-1
    • Home Health
    • Outpatient
    • ER/Urgent Care
    • Pharmacies
    • Last Responders
    • School Nurses
  • 1A: Long-Term Care Facility Residents
  • 1B: Persons aged 65+ or 16+ with at least one chronic medical condition, including pregnancy.
    This includes essential workers with at least one chronic medical condition.

Get Vaccinated

Additional Supply

  • 1C: To be determined
  • 2: To be determined

Large Supply

  • 3: To be determined

Vaccine Candidates

  • There are currently two vaccines with an EUA approval from the FDA and two vaccine candidates in phase 3 clinical trials in the United States. The manufacturers are AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer.
    • Those from Moderna and Pfizer have received EUA authorization from the FDA and are being distributed for administration.
    • The manufacturers still in phase 3 clinical trials are AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.
  • Pfizer and Moderna have announced preliminary results that suggest their vaccines are 90 percent or more effective. Additional safety data is required before FDA can authorize it.
  • The vaccines are not interchangeable. For two-dose vaccines, a person must receive two doses of the same vaccine to ensure maximum effectiveness.
  • Each vaccine candidate has different storage and dosage requirements:
Vaccine Candidate Shipping & Storage Temperatures Dose & Interval Approved For
Pfizer Ultra-cold frozen (-70oC)
5 days refrigerated		 Two doses, 
three weeks apart		 16 years and older
Moderna Therapeutics Frozen
7 days refrigerated		 Two doses, 
four weeks apart		 18 years and older
Johnson & Johnson Frozen (-20oC)
3 months refrigerated		 Single dose To be determined
AstraZeneca Refrigerated Two doses, 
four weeks apart		 To be determined

Vaccine Distribution

Plans & Reports:  View the COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Plan.

Estimated Timeline

Vaccines are being administered, but how long will it be until you are eligible to obtain the vaccine? Health officials are considering vaccine timelines that give some people priority over others. If you’re healthy and not on the COVID-19 frontlines, you may need to wait a few months for your turn. Use this tool for a better understanding of how vaccine distribution will work.

Health Care Providers

  • Health care providers must enroll as a COVID-19 vaccine provider to be eligible to receive the vaccine. As of Sept. 16, more than 3,000 providers in more than 200 Texas counties have enrolled.
  • Vaccine will be provided at no cost by the CDC and shipped directly to vaccine providers along with supplies needed to administer it, such as syringes, needles, etc.
  • Each vaccine recipient will receive a card with information about the vaccine they received, and doses administered will be recorded in ImmTrac2, the state immunization registry, so that providers and recipients can ensure they receive the correct second dose.
  • While the vaccine supply is limited, a Texas Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel will meet regularly to make recommendations to the Commissioner of Health about how best to allocate the vaccine in Texas. Weekly allocations of vaccine will be posted at DSHS COVID-19 Vaccine Information.
  • Texas is actively working to ensure that every community across the state has access to COVID-19 vaccines, once they become available.

Health Care Providers: More about DSHS Provider Information for the COVID Vaccine.

Videos

COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall - Español

Lo que sabemos sobre la vacuna del coronavirus.

COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall - English

Covid-19 Vaccine Q&A by Experts from SA Metro Health and Government Agencies

COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is there a cost for the COVID-19 vaccine?

No.

Will I need an appointment?

Yes. You will need to make an appointment. Appointments are available based on the quantity of vaccine received. As of 1/11/21, all appointments have been reserved. Stay tuned for announcements on when more appointments will become available.

Is there a waitlist for appointments?

At this time, there is no waitlist. Appointments are first come first serve for the priority populations.

Where do I go for my appointment?

Please see the Location information on the vaccination registration page for directions and arrival instructions.

What do I need to bring with me to my appointment?

You need to bring an ID and wear a face mask.

What proof to I need for my chronic health condition?

No proof is required. We are relying on the honor system and hoping people will be respectful of the process.

I have a chronic health condition that is not listed on your website, am I still qualified for Tier 1B?

The state leaves the door open by saying that the list provided is not comprehensive. If you have questions about whether you should take the vaccine, ask your primary care doctor.

How will I schedule my second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?

You will need to schedule an appointment for your second dose. You can schedule it at the same location or ask your doctor if their office can administer the second dose. You do not need to take the second dose at the same location, but you must use the same manufacturer as you first dose. (i.e.; If you received the Moderna vaccine at your first dose, you must receive the Moderna vaccine for your second dose. Your vaccine may not be effective if you do not use the same manufacturer for your second dose.)

How long do I need to wait to get my second dose?

The timing between your first and second shot depends on which vaccine you received. You should not get the second dose earlier than the recommended interval.

  • If you received the Moderna vaccine, you will need to wait at least 24 days after your first dose.
  • If you received the Pfizer vaccine, you will need to wait at least 21 days after your first dose.

You will need to complete the series of the 2 shots in order for them to work. Get the second shot even if you have side effects after receiving the first shot, unless a vaccination provider or your doctor tells you not to get a second shot.

When will more vaccine be available?

At this time, we do not know when we will receive more vaccine. We will keep everyone updated by sharing all updates on social media. Look for @SAMetroHealth on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Do you have to be a San Antonio resident to register for an appointment?

No.

What should I expect after getting a COVID-19 vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.

  • Common side-effects
    • On the arm where you got the shot:
      • Pain
      • Swelling
    • Throughout the rest of your body:
      • Fever
      • Chills
      • Tiredness
      • Headache
  • If you have pain or discomfort, talk to your doctor about taking an over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. You can also contact a Federally Qualified Health Center.
  • If you get a COVID-19 vaccine and you think you might be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, seek immediate medical care by calling 911. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and rare severe allergic reactions.
  • CDC is also implementing a new smartphone-based tool called v-safe to check-in on people’s health after they receive a COVID-19 vaccine. When you receive your vaccine, you should also receive a v-safe information sheet telling you how to enroll in v-safe. If you enroll, you will receive regular text messages directing you to surveys where you can report any problems or adverse reactions you have after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

I got my vaccine, now what?

It’s important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic as we learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions. Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others, stay at least 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds, and wash your hands often.

I made an appointment, but can I give my appointment to a family member who is more high-risk?

No, the registration is not transferrable. Each person needs to register individually. Registration will be confirmed at the site for each person. Multiple registrations for the same person will be cancelled.

What if I need to reschedule or cancel my appointment?

We cannot accommodate a reschedule or change to an appointment at this time.

How do I get second dose of COVID-19 Vaccine at the Alamodome?

Metro Health will be scheduling second dose COVID-19 vaccine appointments on-site after patients receive their first dose at the Alamodome to streamline the scheduling process.

Patients who received their first dose of the vaccine at the Alamodome from Jan 11 - 12, will be receiving a phone call from Metro Health to schedule their second dose. If a person missed a call from Metro Health and would like to schedule their second dose they can call 311 and select option 8 or email COVID-19@sanantonio.gov.

 

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