IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT VACCINES
We appreciate the community’s interest in getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Parkland is vaccinating established 1B patients. Signing up for MyChart in order to get the vaccine with no history of care at Parkland will not qualify someone as a Parkland patient. Parkland also provides vaccines for some individuals who signed up through the Dallas County Health and Human Services website at Dallas County COVID-19 vaccine. That list is sent to us from the county and we will contact the people on our list proactively. The general public (non-Parkland patients) cannot bypass the county’s sign up process and schedule an appointment directly with Parkland. Any person trying to schedule a vaccine with Parkland MUST have been first contacted by Parkland with instructions. We will not honor appointments that do not follow this process. If other organizations or individuals tell you to sign up for a vaccination at Parkland and we have not contacted you, the appointment will not be honored. ONLY direct contact from Parkland with instructions can ensure you get an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. If you wish to sign up on the Dallas County Health and Human Services website, please visit Dallas County COVID-19 vaccine. For additional information, please visit Texas Department of State Health Services.
Who is currently able to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccine is being given to people in phases, based on the guidelines by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Healthcare workers and people who live in long-term care facilities were the first group (Phase 1A) of people to get the vaccine.
People in the second group, Phase 1B, are now able to get a COVID-19 vaccine. You may get the vaccine in Phase 1B if you are in one of the following groups:
- People who are 65 years or older
- People who are at least 16 years and have at least one chronic medical condition that makes you more at risk for severe illness from COVID-19, including:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Certain heart problems
- Solid organ transplant
- Obesity and severe obesity
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus, among others
Get the most current information about who can get the vaccine from the
Texas Department of State Health Services.
I am a Parkland patient in Group 1B – how do I get the vaccine?
We are contacting our 1B patients through MyChart accounts. The MyChart notification will have a link to make your appointment. Log in now to see your MyChart messages.
If you do not have a MyChart account, sign yourself up now to make an account. View the video on how to register here.
If you have forgotten your username for MyChart, click here for username help. If you do not know your MyChart password, click here to reset your password.
I am a Parkland patient but NOT in Group 1B – how do I get the vaccine?
If you are a current Parkland patient but NOT in Group 1B, but want to prepare for COVID-19 vaccine, please:
Log in and make sure your MyChart information is up to date.
If you do not have a MyChart account, sign yourself up now! You can also download the MyChart app from the App Store or Google Play.
When it is your turn to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, we will contact you through MyChart, and you will be able to schedule your vaccine appointment directly through MyChart. You do not need to call your doctor or clinic.
I am not a Parkland patient - how do I get the vaccine?
Once more vaccines are available, more people will be able to receive it. Dallas County Health and Human Services is working on a plan within state guidelines for how to distribute vaccines to area residents. If you are among the group of people who are currently eligible, you can register with Dallas County Health and Human Services to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
We will continue to update our website with more information as the vaccine becomes available.
Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) looked at the tests for safety before approving the vaccine for use. Pfizer’s trials included 43,000 people and Moderna’s had 30,000 (most vaccine trials use 20,000 – 30,000). The safety data indicated that serious adverse reactions were very uncommon and were not higher than expected among the general population. In addition, no specific safety concerns were found based on age, race, ethnicity, medical comorbidities (additional medical conditions) or prior COVID-19 infection. Side effects from the vaccine may include feeling tired, headache, chills, muscle pain or joint pain. For most people these went away after 1-2 days.
Parkland experts believe the steps taken by the FDA and the CDC to approve these vaccines will keep people safe.
Learn more about the different vaccines from the CDC.
Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
There is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you, even if you are not at risk of severe complications. If you get COVID-19, you also may spread the disease to friends, family and loved ones, even if you don't feel sick. The more people who get the vaccination, the more we can protect our loved ones and the quicker we can get back to a more normal life including visiting family and friends, attending worship services, going to restaurants and other activities.
If you are not sure the vaccine is right for you or have questions, talk with your trusted healthcare provider about getting the vaccine.
More information about the COVID-19 vaccines
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, who can get it, how it works and its safety.