COVID-19 VACCINE
Vaccine information for non-CommUnityCare Health Centers patients
If you are not a CommUnityCare patient and are looking for information on where to get a vaccine, our partners at the Dell Medical School and Austin Public Health have websites where you can sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine. We understand this is a challenging process, but are hopeful that as more vaccines become available, the registration and vaccine process will become more accessible.
CommUnityCare Patients - Vaccine Criteria & Process
Due to limited supply CommUnityCare is currently ONLY vaccinating established patients (established means you have a primary care provider at CUC that you have seen within the last year) who fall within the current State of Texas Department of Health guidelines in phase 1B and 1C which include patients 18 years of age and older.
CommUnityCare is actively reaching out to eligible patients to get their vaccines scheduled. If you have NOT received notice, you can get a vaccine by one of the following methods:
- Download MyChart by clicking HERE and making an appointment.
- Walk-in at one of our two vaccination clinics below:
- Rosewood Zaragosa: 2802 Webberville Road, M-F from 7am-3pm, and Saturday from 7am-2pm
- Burleson Vaccination Clinic: 7019 Burleson Road, bldg #1, Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm
As always please remember to wear a mask when coming to any of CUC sites, including all testing and vaccine locations.
Second dose information for CUC patients
For CommUnityCare Health Centers patients who received a first dose vaccine at one of our clinic sites, the DELCO center, or COTA, CommUnityCare staff will be reaching out to you DIRECTLY with detailed information regarding your second dose appointment via text message.
COVID-19 VACCINE GENERAL INFORMATION
Central Health and CommUnityCare are committed to making the vaccine as accessible as possible – specifically to people most disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Central Health and CommUnityCare are focused on an equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution and are following strict CDC/DSHS protocols to ensure those who are most vulnerable receive the vaccine as quickly as possible.
Central Health and CommUnityCare will continue to coordinate with other safety net providers to focus on areas (ZIP codes) with people most disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and other serious disease, and death. This includes people of color, people with low income, people living in areas with the highest rates of COVID-19, and people without transportation.
As vaccines become available in larger quantities, we plan to work with Austin Public Health to establish large-scale vaccination sites to serve people with low income and with no health insurance. Central Health-affiliated CommUnityCare COVID-19 testing serves as an example of how we’ve reached underserved communities with two large drive-up testing sites, and smaller testing sites at various locations.
VACCINATION FACTS
COVID-19 vaccines are safe. The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are safe. All approved COVID-19 vaccines go through testing and clinical trials before they are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for distribution.
The vaccine cannot give you COVID-19. The vaccine does not include the live virus that causes COVID-19. Sometimes the vaccine can cause mild symptoms like pain where you get the shot, fever, chills, headaches or make you feel tired. These symptoms are normal and are a sign that your body is building immunity.
Everyone needs the vaccine – even if you’ve had COVID-19. The best way to stop the pandemic is to take every precaution including getting a vaccine, wearing a mask, washing your hands often, and keeping at least six feet apart from others. When it’s your turn, get the vaccine.
How does the vaccine work? A vaccine prepares your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus in case you are exposed. Depending on the vaccine you receive, a second dose is required in 2 – 3 weeks. You will receive a reminder to schedule a second vaccine the same way you received your confirmation about the first dose.
Even when you get the vaccine, keep wearing a mask. Once you get the vaccine, keep wearing a mask, washing your hands, and watching your distance. The vaccine can keep you from getting sick, but you could still get infected with coronavirus. And if you’re infected, you can spread COVID-19 to others.
Vaccine supplies are limited. Be patient. There aren’t enough vaccines for everyone right now, but more vaccines are coming. Based on guidelines from the State of Texas, frontline health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities are getting the vaccine first. The next group to get vaccinated are people 65 and older and people 16 and over with at least one underlying medical condition. This includes pregnant women. All adults should be able to get vaccinated later in 2021.
Vaccines for CommUnityCare patients: CommUnityCare is following State and Federal vaccine guidelines to vaccinate people. Based on these guidelines, established CommUnityCare patients will be notified when it is their turn to get the vaccine.
Vaccines for vulnerable populations: Austin Public Health is currently focusing on vaccinating vulnerable communities. To find out if you are eligible for a vaccine and pre-register, visit AustinTexas.gov/covid19-vaccines. Completing pre-registration does not guarantee that you will receive the vaccine or be guaranteed a scheduled appointment. If you can get a vaccine through your doctor or another provider, please do so.
MORE INFORMATION
VACCINATION FAQ
IS THE COVID-19 VACCINE SAFE?
The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. All approved COVID-19 vaccines went through extensive testing and clinical trials before they were approved for distribution.
CAN THE COVID-19 VACCINE GIVE YOU COVID-19?
The vaccine does not include the live virus that causes COVID-19. Sometimes the vaccine can cause mild symptoms like pain where you get the shot, fever, chills, headaches or make you feel tired. These symptoms are normal and are a sign that your body is building immunity.
IF I ALREADY HAD COVID-19 DO I STILL NEED A VACCINE?
Everyone needs the vaccine – even if you’ve had COVID-19. The best way to stop the pandemic is to take every precaution including getting a vaccine, wearing a mask, washing your hands often, and keeping at least six feet apart from others. When it’s your turn, get the vaccine.
HOW DOES THE VACCINE WORK?
A vaccine prepares your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus in case you are exposed. Depending on the vaccine you receive, a second dose is required in 2 – 3 weeks. You will receive a reminder to schedule a second vaccine the same way you received your confirmation about the first dose.
WILL THERE BE ENOUGH VACCINES FOR EVERYONE?
Vaccine supplies are limited. Be patient. There aren’t enough vaccines for everyone right now, but more vaccines are coming. Based on guidelines from the State of Texas, frontline health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities are getting the vaccine first. The next group to get vaccinated are people 65 and older and people 16 and over with medical conditions that can put them at risk of complications from COVID-19. This includes pregnant women. All adults should be able to get vaccinated later in 2021.
AFTER I GET VACCINE, DO I STILL HAVE TO WEAR A MASK?
Even when you get the vaccine, keep wearing a mask. Once you get the vaccine, keep wearing a mask, washing your hands, and watching your distance. The vaccine can keep you from getting sick, but you could still get infected with coronavirus. And if you’re infected, you can spread COVID-19 to others.
I’M A COMMUNITYCARE PATIENT. CAN I GET A VACCINE?
CommUnityCare is following State and Federal vaccine guidelines to vaccinate people. Based on these guidelines, established CommUnityCare patients will be notified when it is their turn to get the vaccine.
HOW CAN VULNERABLE POPULATIONS GET THE VACCINE?
Austin Public Health is currently focusing on vaccinating vulnerable communities. To find out if you are eligible for a vaccine and pre-register, visit AustinTexas.gov/covid19-vaccines. Completing pre-registration does not guarantee that you will receive the vaccine or be guaranteed a scheduled appointment. If you can get a vaccine through your doctor or another provider, please do so.
