Insights

Where & How To Get A COVID-19 Vaccine In Austin?

Mira Research Team
Mira Research Team9 Feb 2021

Quick Digest: 

  • As of February 5th, Texas has received 3,659,550 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna coronavirus vaccines. Of this stockpile, Texas has administered 2,219,867 doses to its residents.
  • Austin, Texas is currently in phase 1b of vaccine distribution. Accordingly, healthcare workers, long-term care residents, individuals 65 and older, and people with severe medical conditions can access the vaccine. The vaccine is available at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, Seton McCarthy Community Clinic, St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, and more. The full list is below.
  • Texas will expand vaccinations to people eligible in subsequent phases as supply allows. The next group of individuals eligible for the vaccine is still under determination and is dependent on how many vaccines are available.
  • Mira’s research indicates that Texas will reach herd immunity by September 8, 2021. This aligns with previous independent research, which estimated that the pandemic will be functionally over by Q3-Q4 of 2021.

 

What you need to know about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Austin

In December 2020, the FDA granted emergency use authorization to the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. 

  • Both vaccines demonstrated over 94% effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 during clinical trials.
  • Both vaccines utilize mRNA to teach your body how to recognize and kill the coronavirus should you be exposed. Since mRNA cannot enter the nucleus of cells, these vaccines will not alter your DNA.
  • Both vaccines require two doses, spaced approximately three to four weeks apart. Immunity will take time to build once you have been vaccinated, so you should continue to take precautions and act as though you are not vaccinated. Continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and wash your hand with soap and water.
  • Your second dose needs to be from the same company as your first dose. In other words, if you received the Pfizer vaccine for your first dose, you need to receive the Pfizer vaccine for your second dose.

For more information on COVID myths debunked, see our article here. 

 

The COVID-19 vaccine is available in Austin for all who qualify in Phase 1b

Texas is currently allowing people in phase 1a and 1b to get vaccinated. Although demand for the vaccine is extremely high, the current supply does not suffice for all individuals who are eligible to receive a vaccine. 

Therefore, just because you are eligible, does not mean you will be able to get vaccinated immediately. The following people are currently eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in Texas.

  • Healthcare workers.
  • Long-term care facility residents
  • Individuals aged 65 and older
  • People aged 16+ with at least one chronic medical condition

Phase 1c is estimated to begin thereafter. Once phase 1c is in full effect, a more widespread population will be able to access the vaccine; however, Texas is still trying to determine who should be prioritized under this group. 

 

Health Image

Get Mira - Health Benefits You Can Afford.

Get doctor visits, lab tests, prescription, and more. Affordable copays. Available in 45+ states. Only $45/month on average.

Here's where and how you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Austin

Below are the locations that are being used as Covid-19 vaccination sites. 

To protect patient privacy, the actual locations of the vaccination sites are being kept private unless you have an appointment. 

You will only be able to receive a vaccine if you have completed the aforementioned steps and have a scheduled appointment. 

Vaccine Hubs

 

Other Vaccination Locations

To register for a vaccine you must first pre-register and complete several questions to determine your eligibility. While completing a pre-registration determines your eligibility, it does not guarantee that you will receive the vaccine or be guaranteed a scheduled appointment. 

To complete the pre-registration process: 

  1. Register or sign in to your account, here. Each person seeking a vaccine will need to use a different email address.
  2. Pre-register for the Covid-19 vaccine by answering questions about yourself, previous vaccine reactions, as well as insurance information. You will not be asked about your immigration status. Once these questions are complete, the system will provide information regarding your eligibility to receive the vaccine. The information that you provide is private and confidential by law.
  3. When eligible for a vaccine, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment. Vaccine information will be sent to the IMMTRAC Texas Immunization Registry and will be used to notify you of your vaccine appointment availability, and for the required follow up appointment to receive the second dosage.

If you would like to see how many vaccines these clinics have available or are interested in other sites throughout Texas where you can get vaccinated, visit this website. 

 

Health Image

Virtual care for only $25 per visit

Virtual primary care, urgent care, and behavioral health visits are only $25 with a Mira membership.

What do I need to bring with me to my COVID-19 vaccine appointment?

Below are several items you must bring to your appointment in order to receive your vaccine. Please note that you will only be able to receive a vaccine if you are eligible under the current phase of distribution and have an appointment. Texas requests that you please do not show up to a vaccination center without an appointment — walk-in vaccines will not be offered. 

  • Government-issued picture ID
  • Insurance Card
  • Mask/Face Coverings to be Worn at All Times
  • Copy of your Appointment Confirmation

 

When will Austin reach herd immunity?

Mira’s research indicates that Texas’s herd immunity date will be approximately September 8, 2021. To arrive at this date, we studied CDC data on vaccine administration in Texas, determining the average rate of vaccinations per day and scaling-up this rate according to the number of eligible individuals in each phase. 

This allowed us to see how long it would take Texas to vaccinate 75% of its population — the number of people needed to reach herd immunity, wherein the pandemic will be functionally over. For more information on herd immunity, see our article here. 

Have questions on what you should do after you have been vaccinated? Check out our article on post-vaccination infectivity here. 

 

How much does the COVID-19 vaccine cost in Austin?

The U.S. government bought several hundred million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines as part of Operation Warp Speed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced that nobody will have to pay for the cost of a vaccine that was purchased by the government. 

However, it is possible to be charged for the administration of the vaccine if being vaccinated at a private doctor’s office or pharmacy. 

We estimate that if your vaccine location charges an administrative fee, it can cost between $16 and $29 per dose if you do not have insurance. 

After the pandemic is over and the government no longer purchases vaccines, people may have to pay between $25 and $58 for a COVID-19 vaccination. 

 

Sources: 

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations

https://covid19.austintexas.gov/s/?language=en_US

https://tdem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=3700a84845c5470cb0dc3ddace5c376b

Mira Research Team

The Mira Research team conducts original data and medical research on the most applicable topics of today and translates them into easy-to-understand articles to educate the public. Each of our articles is carefully reviewed and curated with interviews and opinions from medical experts, public health officials, and experienced administrators. The team has educational backgrounds from New York University, the University of Virginia, more.

TopicCoronavirusCOVID-19
How Does One Medical Compare to Carbon Health?
Health Insurance

How Does One Medical Compare to Carbon Health?

Both companies share the same mission: streamlining health services through technology and healthcare. However, One Medical has an annual membership fee, while Carbon Health doesn't have a membership or subscription fee. One Medical also works with insurance plans while Carbon Health doesn't require insurance.

Jasiah Hasan
Jasiah Hasan24 Mar 2023