HOW TO ENROLL TO BE COVID-19 VACCINATOR
Providers should check the DSHS website and social media accounts for the most current information, as information is subject to change.
How to enroll to be a COVID-19 vaccinator:
- Any facility, organization, or healthcare provider licensed to process or administer vaccines or provide vaccination services is eligible to enroll.
- Providers must register through this website to administer and receive COVID-19 vaccines in Texas: https://enrolltexasiz.dshs.texas.gov/emrlogin.asp. The following steps must also be finalized:
- Complete Module 10 of the CDC’s “You Call the Shots” Training. (Highly recommended.)
- Evaluate patient population. Identify critical population groups of people that are served by your practice.
- Complete the COVID-19 Provider Agreement form.
- Agree to maintain vaccine safety and inventory.
- Agree to report COVID-19 doses administered in the required time frame.
- For questions about registration call the DSHS COVID-19 Vaccine Provider hotline at (877) 835-7750, Monday-Friday, 8am – 5pm or email COVID19VacEnroll@dshs.texas.gov.
COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed as they become available.
- The Texas Commissioner of Health appointed an Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel to make recommendations on vaccine allocation decisions.
- This panel uses best available scientific evidence and epidemiology at the time, while allowing for flexibility due to local conditions, to identify and prioritize groups with the goal of providing protection to vulnerable populations and critical state resources.
- Other groups will receive vaccines in coming months as more vaccines are made available.
DSHS currently directs all vaccines received by COVID-19 vaccine providers to be immediately administered to phase 1A and 1B individuals. This includes:
- Healthcare staff.
- Texans 65 years of age and older.
- People 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as 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
Safety remains a top priority.
- COVID-19 vaccines have been evaluated in tens of thousands of volunteers during clinical trials and are only authorized for use if they are found to be safe.
- Even though no safety issues were found, the CDC and other federal partners will continue to monitor the COVID-19 vaccines.
- Providers can play an important role in helping the CDC and federal partners monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.
- The US vaccine safety system is already strong and robust and includes required reporting to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
- New safety systems have been added for COVID-19 vaccines, including the following new CDC initiatives:
Providers should continue to remind patients that getting “back to normal” will take all our tools.
- Get vaccinated when you become eligible.
- Wear a mask.
- Stay 6 feet away from others and avoid crowds.
- Wash your hands often.