Houston,
01
February
2021
|
14:30 PM
America/Chicago

University of St. Thomas COVID-19 Vaccine Opportunity

Across the country, the COVID-19 pandemic is having devastating effects. Here at the University of St. Thomas - Houston, we have felt the pain and loss in our own community. We have supported families who have been affected and mourned those we have lost.

While the pandemic has kept us apart, there is new hope—vaccines are here. They will help us move closer to ending the pandemic.

The University of St. Thomas, in concert with CHI St. Luke’s Health, wishes everyone in our community to be safe so that all can get back to hugging our families and friends and shaking hands with our neighbors. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine adds one more layer of protection for you, your family, and your loved ones.

CHI St. Luke’s Health is providing the following information and opportunity for our University community:

  • CHI St. Luke’s Health is coordinating closely with local and state public health departments to ensure effective vaccine distribution in our community and is participating in the administration of COVID-19 vaccines according to the state guidelines for distribution.
  • CHI St. Luke’s Health providers are among dozens that have been named as vaccination hubs by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). As a large, designated vaccine site, these facilities are focusing on vaccinating health care workers and members of the community who meet the state guidelines. CHI St. Luke’s Health will continue to expand their vaccination capacity as more supply of the vaccine is available.
  • CHI St. Luke’s Health expects to receive 1,950 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine sometime this week. The shipment, which is part of the Week 6 allocation of the vaccine, will be used to administer first doses to high-risk individuals who meet the Phase 1A and Phase 1B guidelines.

Phase 1A recipients include:

Front-line healthcare workers and residents at long-term care facilities plus people over 65 or with a chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from COVID‑19.

Phase 1B recipients include:

People 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)
  • Down Syndrome
  • 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

CHI St. Luke’s Health will be contacting eligible individuals on its waiting list via phone to schedule them for an appointment to get the first dose of the vaccine. They are prioritizing individuals who are already on the waiting list and encourage the University of St. Thomas (Phase 1A or Phase 1B) faculty, staff, and students to complete a form online to be placed on the waiting list.

We all play a part in this effort, and you are key. Please sign up for your COVID-19 vaccination at

https://www.stlukeshealth.org/covidvaccine

If you wish to know more about COVID-19 vaccines, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines