To Our Patients,
We understand that trying to get Covid-19 vaccination has been very stressful for our patients. We are still waiting to see if the Texas Department of Health Services will give us any vaccine. The push has been to supply the vaccine to large providers who can vaccinate 1,000 or more patients a day. There are logistical challenges to both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in terms of their storage and stability. Ideally, we would like to get the Johnson and Johnson vaccine which is easy to store and involves just one injection. Unfortunately, we have no control over this.
If you have managed to get vaccinated and have not yet done so, please send a picture of your immunization record to nurse@markthorntonmd.com.
If you are still trying to get immunized, please let us know by responding to reception@markthorntonmd.com. This will provide us with additional information for trying to obtain vaccine from the state.
Most of our patients who have obtained their vaccinations have used the websites and numbers below, as listed with daily status updates in the San Antonio Express News. Here is a recent summary.
Sincerely,
Mark L. Thornton, M.D.,F.A.C.P.
Jennifer Wallace, M.D.
Who can get it now?
The people eligible now include first responders, those living or working in nursing homes, everyone older than 65 and those 16 or older with chronic health conditions such as diabetes and obesity.
Group 1A: Includes health care workers in hospital settings working directly with COVID-19 or high-risk patients, long-term-care staff and residents, EMS providers, home health care workers
Group 1B: A far larger group with more people than the current limited vaccine supply will reach quickly — anyone 65 or older, pregnant women and anyone 16 or older with a pre-existing condition. These include cancer, heart issues such as heart failure or coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, solid organ transplant, obesity or severe obesity, sickle cell disease or Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
If I qualify, where can I get it?
People in group 1B need to make an appointment with a provider, which include medical facilities, pharmacies and hospitals. Providers are listed on this map provided by the Department of State Health Services.
Don’t assume a provider has doses of vaccine just because it’s listed on the map. Call ahead to make sure.
VIA Metropolitan Transit offers free rides to or from an appointment at a city- or county-sponsored COVID-19 vaccination site, such as the Alamodome or Wonderland of the Americas mall. Bus or VIA Link passengers can show their appointment registration (on paper or mobile device) or their shot record. Riders using the VIAtrans service must schedule in advance by phone or online.
Major Distributors:
Listings are in alphabetical order. This section will be updated as information is released by area providers.
Christus Santa Rosa: Has an appointment system for some clinics and outpatient care sites. Group 1B appointments currently are filled.
doses arrive. Calls then will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily while available supply lasts. Only registered recipients with appointments will receive the vaccine at Elvira Cisneros Senior Community Activity Center, 517 S.W. Military Drive, or at Alicia Treviño López Senior One-Stop Center, 8353 Culebra Road. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
How much does the vaccine cost?
The vaccine is free of charge, regardless of insurance status.
Do I have to show proof of age or underlying condition?
DSHS has not offered guidance on how providers should check for proof of age or qualifying conditions.
Some providers have created their own policies to show proof of age or condition. H-E-B said patients can provide an ID or a prescription for their proof, while University Hospital has said it will take people at their word if they say they have underlying conditions.
Who is next, and when?
Texas’ Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel is considering criteria for later stages of vaccine distribution. It’s likely the general public won’t receive the vaccine until at least the spring.
Any providers with extra doses can administer them to any willing person regardless of their priority designation so that usable vaccine won’t sit on the shelves.
