Because the supply of COVID-19 vaccine in the United States is expected to be limited at first, the CDC is providing recommendations to federal, state, and local governments about who should be vaccinated first. And, the environment is fluid, with changes being made frequently at the state and county level.

Currently, in Texas, the state considers front-line healthcare workers and residents of a long-term care facility as currently eligible to get a vaccine. This group is considered Phase 1A. Counties may have different guidelines.

If you are in the state’s Phase 1B, you are also eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, depending on availability and the vaccine provider. Vaccine supply remains limited, but more vaccine will be delivered to providers each week. Phase 1B recipients 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

Community Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions

If you are in Phase 1A or 1B, please visit the Texas COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Locations map to see if and where you might be able to get a vaccine today. Remember, your ability to get a vaccine today or this week will depend on vaccine availability at your provider’s office, clinic, or facility. Please call ahead to your provider.

For more information, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services COVID-19 Vaccine Information Web page.

In the United States, the federal government’s Operation Warp Speed has contracted with six different vaccine manufacturers to begin manufacturing their vaccine prior to receiving FDA approval or Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

It is currently unknown how long immunity will last after vaccination or if annual boosters will be needed. The CDC’s Advisory Commission on Immunization Practices will issue guidance on any follow-up vaccinations as this data becomes available.

After extensive trials for safety and efficacy, the U.S. vaccine safety system ensures all vaccines are as safe as possible before and after authorization or approval for use. For more information on safety, visit the CDC Vaccine Safety web page.

Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the possibilities for reinfection with COVID-19, people may be advised to get a COVID-19 vaccine even if they have been sick with COVID-19 before. Both natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity are important aspects of COVID-19 that experts are trying to learn more about, and the CDC will keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available.

COVID-19 vaccines and ancillary supplies will be distributed by the federal government at no cost to enrolled COVID-19 vaccination providers.

Patients should not get both vaccines simultaneously. Guidance on how long to wait between influenza (flu shot) and COVID-19 vaccines will be provided by the CDC.