Houston fills January vaccine appts in a few hours

[M_T]

Houston opened appointments for those in their phase 1a and 1b on Monday morning, January 2.  In a few hours, all appointments for January were filled.  More appointments may be opened (at other sites?) as more vaccine arrives.  (In Texas, phase 1b includes 65+ and those younger with certain comorbidities).

According to the DSHS, Texans in Phase 1B may begin receiving the COVID-19 vaccine immediately. Phase 1B includes: 

• People 65 years old and older
  
• People 16 years old and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the coronavirus, including 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
    

[magnus]

I know some > 70 yr olds in a Houston suburb.

They tried to get on the schedule but were unable through normal channels.
Then a friend of theirs forwarded a private invite link (for Hospital employed doctors' patients) that they were able to use.  They were even able to jump on a last second appt slot.   Unfortunately, the hospital realized their mistake and the day of, called them to say that they were not on the intended list.  They have had appts in the hospital before, but perhaps not with hospital employed doctors.

Back to square one.

[M_T]

I know some > 70 yr olds in a Houston suburb.

They tried to get on the schedule but were unable through normal channels.
Then a friend of theirs forwarded a private invite link (for Hospital employed doctors' patients) that they were able to use.  They were even able to jump on a last second appt slot.   Unfortunately, the hospital realized their mistake and the day of, called them to say that they were not on the intended list.  They have had appts in the hospital before, but perhaps not with hospital employed doctors.

Back to square one.

Texas publishes how many doses are going to which pharmacies.  It amazed me just how many places were getting doses. 
For instance
  https://dshs.texas.gov/news/updates/COVI...-Week4.pdf
(change the week number).
Now that you have the locations, get on the phone to the pharmacies and find out who they are giving them to.

I have two siblings in TX that are MDs. One got his through the hospital that he works about 12/30.  The other is independent and had to work through the state medical office to get his vaccination.  Their spouses (60s & 70s) have gotten vaccinations through public channels but know others that called in too late.   Vaccination rate in Texas is 2.1% of the eligible population. (CA: 1.5%, where health care workers constitute 6% of the population).