Harris County will launch the coronavirus vaccine waiting list on Tuesday

HOUSTON – Harris County will launch a waiting list on Tuesday for people who want to get the coronavirus vaccine.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the list aims to create an equitable way to distribute and administer the vaccine.

“Getting a COVID-19 vaccine shouldn’t be like ‘Hunger Games,'” Hidalgo said. “It shouldn’t be about who can update a browser faster.”

Hidalgo said the waiting list will be available at ReadyHarris.org or by calling 832-927-8787. The phone line will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

While anyone can enroll on the waiting list, only people who meet the requirements to receive the vaccine in phases 1A and 1B will be able to get the vaccine at that time, Hidalgo said. He said the system will not be a first-order arrival system. He said eligible people will be subject to a randomization system to ensure the administration process is fair. He said he will contact people who are not currently eligible once they are eligible.

If you register online, you will receive a confirmation email. Once you have been selected, you will receive another email with an individualized identification code that will invite you to schedule a time and date within 48 hours to get the vaccine. If you register by phone and are selected, you will receive a call to arrange your appointment.

Hidalgo said Harris County Public Health has administered 27,426 vaccines to date and that the county receives about 9,000 doses a week. He said that while county leaders advocate receiving more doses, the waiting list does not mean the county has a huge stockpile of vaccines.

“Supply remains extremely limited,” Hidalgo said.

He also said the county is working on building six fixed vaccination sites, targeting those areas with the highest number of covide cases and those communities and neighborhoods that are not being cared for.

Below is a replay of the Hidalgo press conference: