DCHHS COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION

dptstaff | January 25, 2021 | Health, LOCAL, Medical, NEWS, vaccine | No Comments

How to register for a vaccination?

COVID-19 Vaccine is still in very limited supply and is still being prioritized to Phase 1A Healthcare Workers. However, limited supplies of vaccine may be available for persons who meet the Phase 1B criteria (Persons 65 and older, or persons 16+ with underlying medical conditions). DCHHS is collecting names of persons to register for the vaccine, as vaccine becomes available. To register for the vaccine, you need to be in Phase 1A or 1B at this time. Again, those groups include doctors, nurses, first responders, as well as individuals 65 and older and 18 or older with an underlying medical condition. Dallas County is distributing the Moderna vaccine at this time, which is only available to individuals 18 and older.

Each entity that is distributing the vaccine may approach this process differently, so if you plan to receive your immunization from a hospital, pharmacy or doctor, it will be a different registration process.

Register Online:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=rc-tUfFynEeyj1JBLgQBS27MxRuhoUxLlfv_l-XuFzdUQkFNUjVNUlA4RkgyRjNFVVFZMVQ1Mjg2Ni4u

Register by Phone:

The number for the DCHHS Vaccine Registration Hotline is 469-749-9900. The hotline hours are Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm. Registration assistance is available in English and Spanish.

Who chooses who gets vaccinated first?

Many people want to be at the front of the line when it comes time to receive the vaccine. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has met and issued guidance on who should receive the vaccine first. Similarly, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has a committee to direct how the vaccine should be distributed in Texas. At this time DSHS has created Phase 1A and 1B. DCHHS is following CDC and state guidelines for the administration of the vaccine. As more vaccine is made available additional groupings will be added until everyone is covered. If you are not sure if you are in Phase 1A or 1B, there is a more detailed definition here:

Phase 1A First Tier

Paid and unpaid workers in hospital settings working directly with patients who are positive or at high risk for COVID-19. Such as but not limited to:
(a) Physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and other support staff (custodial staff, etc.)
(b) Additional clinical staff providing supporting laboratory, pharmacy, diagnostic and/or rehabilitation services
(c) Others having direct contact with patients or infectious materials
Long-term care staff working directly with vulnerable residents. Includes:
(a) Direct care providers at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and state supported living centers
(b) Physicians, nurses, personal care assistants, custodial, food service staff
EMS providers who engage in 9-1-1 emergency services like pre-hospital care and transport
Home health care workers, including hospice care, who directly interface with vulnerable and high-risk patients
Residents of long-term care facilities

Phase 1A Second Tier

Staff in outpatient care settings who interact with symptomatic patients. Such as but not limited to:
(a) Physicians, nurses, and other support staff (custodial staff, etc.)
(b) Clinical staff providing diagnostic, laboratory, and/or rehabilitation services
(c) Non-9-1-1 transport for routine care
(d) Healthcare workers in corrections and detention facilities
Direct care staff in freestanding emergency medical care facilities and urgent care clinics
Community pharmacy staff who may provide direct services to clients, including vaccination or testing for individuals who may have COVID
Public health and emergency response staff directly involved in administration of COVID testing and vaccinations
Last responders who provide mortuary or death services to decedents with COVID-19. Includes:
(a) Embalmers and funeral home workers who have direct contact with decedents
(b) Medical examiners and other medical certifiers who have direct contact with decedents
School nurses who provide health care to students and teachers

Phase 1B

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