County Galveston opens waiting list for COVID-19 vaccine for people at high risk

HOUSTON – Galveston County and local health partners announced a new online waitlist app on Wednesday for those looking to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Appointments are currently available for high-risk individuals who meet the criteria for phases 1A and 1B. You don’t have to be a Galveston County resident or UTMB patient to get on the wait list, officials said.

The waiting list will begin accepting applicants Wednesday at 4 p.m.

Go to utmbhealth.com/vaccine to join the waitlist.

“It will be the one-stop-shop for people to come in line to get their vaccine.” Dr Philip Keizer, the local health authority for Galveston County said. “There is a very big need to do this because as you can see, not just for us, but across the region as soon as appointments are opened they disappear very quickly.”

Officials said applicants will be asked to create an account and answer a few health questions, which will be used by medical professionals to ensure those most at risk of hospitalization due to the COVID-19 will have the opportunity to make an appointment as vaccine stocks become available.

The waiting list will be based on the level of risk and people will be able to join the waiting list on an ongoing basis, officials said.

Once a person is eligible to receive the vaccine based on their level of risk, they will receive an email alerting them to make an appointment. In the notification, there will be a link to the website where they can schedule an appointment. The schedule link will only be valid for 24 hours, officials said.

A separate email address is required for each person interested in joining the waiting list.

For those who don’t have internet access or don’t have a working e-mail address, a phone bank can help them with the waitlist registration process. They will be asked to provide an email and cell phone number for a relative or close friend to ensure they receive planning notifications.

The telephone bank can be reached at 877-389-2318.

Health officials said the process would help them prioritize those most at risk.

“If you sign up, it doesn’t mean you’re going to get the vaccine next week. This means we know who you are and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible, ”said Keizer.

Galveston County, UTMB Health, and Galveston County Health District continue to meet the Texas State Department’s health service eligibility criteria and only vaccinate those under Phase 1A, healthcare workers and phase 1B, those 65 and over or 16 and over with certain medical conditions.

County leaders believe the online vaccine waiting list will help streamline the process of vaccinating people.

“Once we have people on that list, we will know what the demand is and we will know who those people are so that we can better plan as we receive more doses of the vaccine,” Keizer said.