Galveston County Health District
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Latest COVID-19 vaccine updates
In September and October of 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved and authorized the 23/24 COVID-19 vaccines for use. These newest vaccines replace all previous formulations of the vaccine. The CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19. These include vaccines manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Novavax.
With the authorization of these newest COVID-19 vaccines, a change in vaccine access has been implemented. Previously, all COVID-19 vaccines were purchased by the federal government and provided at no cost to all who wished to receive it without regard to their insurance status. The COVID-19 vaccine has now been commercialized. This means that your insurance company will now be billed for the vaccine and its administration.
For those without insurance or who are underinsured, the COVID-19 vaccine has been added to the Texas Vaccines for Children Program for children up to 18 years of age and for adults, the Bridge Access Program has been initiated to ensure access to all for a limited time.
Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?
With insurance – check for locations that accept your insurance such as:
- Your retail pharmacy – many pharmacies can administer the vaccine and bill your insurance.
- Your doctor’s office/clinic for yourself or your child.
- You can also use the website vaccines.gov to search for vaccination sites by zip code.
Without insurance or those who are underinsured
- Your local health department
- Bridge Access Program - Some retail pharmacies such as Walgreens or CVS participate in this program. You can use the website vaccines.gov to search for vaccination sites by zip code.
- Children who are eligible or are on Medicaid, uninsured, underinsured, American Indian, or Alaska Native or enrolled in the can receive the COVID-19 vaccines through the Texas Vaccines for Children Program at participating providers including your local health department.
- Children with Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can receive the vaccine through the TVFC program but only with a CHIP participating provider such as your PCP.
Do I need the new COVID-19 vaccine and if so, how many doses do I need?
Everyone aged 5 years and older should get 1 dose of the new COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.
Children aged 6 months – 4 years need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccine to be up to date, including at least one dose of the newest COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccine doses and timing are different for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system or receive medications or treatments that suppress the immune system.
For more information, visit the CDC Overview of COVID-19 Vaccines.
GCHD Vaccine Clinic Information
Clinic hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. with extended hours until 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The clinic is open 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month. Walk-ins are welcome, appointments are not necessary.
The clinic is located at 9850-B Emmett F. Lowry Expy., Suite B-104, Texas City. Please enter through entrance B. For more information, call us at 409.949.3459.
COVID-19 vaccine care replacement
To request an immunization record for yourself or your child, please fill out the Authorization to Release ImmTrac2 History form. Those who are 18 years old or older must sign an ImmTrac2 Adult Consent Form (EF11-13366). To maintain immunization records in the registry, they must submit the form by their 26th birthday.
- To request a copy of a vaccine record, download the Authorization to Release ImmTrac2 History form.
- Complete the form.
- Send completed form to the DSHS Immunization Unit:
Mail:
Texas Department of State Health Services
Immunization Unit – ImmTrac Group
MC 1946, PO Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347
Fax:
512.776.7790 (Austin)
866.624.0180 (toll-free)