Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital COVID-19 Vaccine Plan FAQ

THE WOODLANDS, TX - Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is our best shot at ending this pandemic. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines (the only two available so far in the U.S.) are among the most effective vaccines ever produced — both about 95% effective after two doses. That’s equal to the vaccines for the chicken pox and the measles.

We encourage you to get your vaccine as soon as it is available to you, according to the state’s prioritization plan. Many different organizations across the Greater Houston community are providing vaccines as quickly as they can get them, and we urge you to get the first vaccine available when it is your turn. And while we wish we could vaccinate everyone in our city right now, we are limited by vaccine supply.

Here’s what you need to know about the vaccine plan:

Why are we contacting our patients proactively?

Because it is the fastest, most reliable way to reach those who are most vulnerable in our community. Many patients have had a recent doctor or hospital appointment, so it is a very effective way to identify and schedule these at-risk patients, in accordance with the state’s priority groupings.

If you have accessed a Houston Methodist doctor or service in the past two years, we will contact you via automated phone call, text message or email to schedule your vaccine. If it is your turn and you did not receive an invitation or do not have a cell phone, you can check here.

We also hope to continue receiving large amounts of vaccine from the state so we can continue our outreach to the public — specifically the hardest hit neighborhoods in our city and our most at-risk population.

Who can get the vaccine right now?

On Dec. 1, 2020, the CDC made recommendations of who should be prioritized to receive the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The goal of these recommendations was to decrease death and serious illness, as well as ensure our health care system can continue to operate effectively during the ongoing pandemic.

Click here to read our article about the specific phases of vaccine distribution.

Who gets the vaccine after priority at-risk individuals and when?

Spring 2021 is the best estimate of when vaccine will be available for the general public, but that may change. It depends on vaccine production and how quickly other vaccines become available.

What is Houston Methodist doing to vaccinate the community?

As a vaccine hub, we continue to receive more than 10,000 doses from the state each week to vaccinate vulnerable members of the community. Because we are limited by vaccine supply, our public sign up for open spots fills within hours, and so we have developed a waiting list. We anticipate receiving more vaccines from the state very soon. Once we do, we will continue our outreach to the hardest hit neighborhoods in our city and our most at-risk population.

Please know that if you have accessed a Houston Methodist doctor or service in the past two years, you do not need to sign up through the hub, since we will contact you when you are eligible to get the vaccine. Additionally, we encourage you to take the first vaccine you are offered, anywhere, anytime.

Click here to see all of the vaccine hubs in Texas.

What Should You Be Doing Now?

Given the limited vaccine supply, please understand we are doing our best to immediately vaccinate priority, high-risk individuals. In the meantime, we should remain patient and vigilant about practicing the measures that have been keeping us safe all these months: wearing a mask, staying six feet apart, practicing great hand hygiene and staying home when possible.

At Houston Methodist, we proudly stand behind the vaccine. And we know that together, we can reduce the threat of COVID-19 in our community.