Harris Co. judge Lina Hidalgo announces new waiting list for COVID-19 vaccine

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced a new waiting list for COVID-19 vaccines on Monday afternoon, in a bid to ensure high priority people are not overlooked and facilitate the process.

Hidalgo explained the basics of how the waitlist works. Hidalgo was joined by Dr Sherri Onyiego, the interim local health authority for Harris County public health.

The waitlist is said to be weighted and random, meaning the website won’t necessarily favor the one with the fastest internet connection. Once the portal opens on Tuesday, anyone will be able to register.

If you are in Groups 1A, 1B or Seniors, your entry will be weighted by priority, and then it will be randomized to the priority list.

The launch of this new portal and waiting list expands the previous process by allowing eligible residents to register directly for vaccines, according to a press release from the county.

Eligible residents without Internet access can also call 832 927-8787 once the portal is online to be put on the waiting list.

If you are not in these three groups, you will still be able to sign up, but that means you will be on a waiting list for the vaccine to be opened to the general public.

In addition to the new portal, the public health department will also launch a COVID-19 vaccine data center. The center will show vaccine availability, distribution and other demographic data.

SEE RELATED STORY: County-by-County Breakdown of COVID-19 Vaccine Distributions