Houston Methodist will soon begin notifying patients who set up vaccine appointments

HOUSTON – The Houston Methodist said Thursday that some patients will soon begin receiving notifications to schedule appointments for their coronavirus shot.

According to a plan posted on the hospital system’s website, patients who have seen a primary care or specialty care physician in the past two years will be able to receive the vaccine in front of the general public.

Officials said they will soon begin notifying patients via text message in the following order:

1. Patients over 75 years.
2. Patients aged 65 to 74 years.
3. Patients under 65 years of age with at least one class 1 condition or at least two class 2 comorbid conditions.

Class 1 diseases include cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease (congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy), obesity (BMI 30+), pregnancy, sickle cell disease, smoking, organ transplantation solids, type I or diabetes mellitus II.

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Class 2 conditions include asthma, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, use of corticosteroids, or other immunosuppressive agents.

The vaccine was first given to front-line health workers and people in long-term care centers as part of Phase 1A.

On Wednesday, the Texas State Department of Health Services said vaccine providers can begin administering the vaccine to people in Phase 1B.

Officials have said anyone who believes they belong to any of the groups should contact their healthcare provider to determine if they can get the vaccine.

Dr. James McCarthy, chief physician at Hermann Memorial Hospital, provides information on the state of the coronavirus pandemic in Houston and how the vaccine will be deployed.