Worried about your second vaccine shot? Here’s what 10 Austin providers advise

The COVID-19 vaccine supply is growing, thanks to the FDA's recent approval of Johnson & Johnson's one-shot candidate. More Texans are now eligible to receive the vaccine. And providers are taking note of some of the technical glitches that have made it difficult for some Austinites to make appointments.

But some residents who have already received the first dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine have found scheduling a follow-up appointment an anxiety-producing process.

Provider policies vary, with some scheduling first and second dose appointments at the same time and others following up via phone or email in the interim period. Most recommend that patients receive both of their shots from the same provider. This is for two reasons:

• Providers automatically receive corresponding shipments of second doses from the state three to four weeks after the shipment of first doses is allocated.
• Patients need to receive both doses from the same manufacturer.

But even people who plan on returning to the same provider that administered their first shot have found the process confusing. Austonia asked 10 providers what their patients can expect when it comes to making their second dose appointment.

Ascension Seton

Seton Medical Center received the largest vaccine allocation of any Travis County provider this week: a total of 14,040 doses. Most of these however are being transferred to supply drive-thru vaccine clinics at the Circuit of the Americas, a collaboration of Ascension Seton, CommUnity Health Centers and Travis, Bastrop, Caldwell and Hays counties.

Otherwise, Ascension Seton providers offering vaccines will schedule second dose appointments at the time of the first dose. More information can be found here.

Austin Public Health

APH, one of two hub providers in Travis County, requires appointments for second doses. If you received your first dose through APH, the department will reach out via phone or email to schedule an appointment.

Once you have completed your first dose through APH, your appointment status in the department's pre-registration system will note you as "Completed." If your account does not show this status, you should fill out this form to correct the error. The department strongly recommends recipients upload a photo of their vaccine card to expedite the process.

If you received your first dose through APH and have not received a second appointment within the six week interval recommended by the CDC, you may walk up to any APH site and present your vaccine card to receive your second dose. More information can be found here.

Austin Regional Clinic

ARC is currently vaccinating established patients who meet the state eligibility requirements and have been deemed priority based on their electronic medical record, which considers age and health risk. If you have received your first dose from ARC and have a MyChart account, log in to find a scheduling ticket to book your second dose appointment. If you do not have a MyChar account, ARC will call you to book a follow-up appointment. More information can be found here.

Baylor Scott & White Health

Baylor Scott & White Health schedules second dose appointments at the time of the first dose appointment. Patients can register for their first dose using the MyBSWHealth digital portal online, the corresponding app or by calling 844-279-9222. More information can be found here.

CommUnity Care

CommUnityCare is only vaccinating established patients, meaning those who have seen a primary care provider at one of its clinics within the last year. CUC will reach out to patients who received a first dose at one of CUC's clinics, the Delco Activity Center or the Circuit of the Americas via text message with detailed information about their second appointment. More information can be found here.

CVS Pharmacy

When patients make an appointment for their initial shot online or through the CVS app, they are prompted to schedule an appointment for their second dose at the same time (if receiving Moderna or Pfizer). More information can be found here.

H-E-B Pharmacy

H-E-B Pharmacy automatically schedules second dose appointments after patients receive their first dose. More information can be found here.

UT Health Austin

UT Health Austin, the clinical wing of Dell Medical School and Travis County's other hub provider, schedules second dose appointments at the time of the first shot. If you received your first dose at another facility, you can fill out this request form. If you are eligible and there is enough vaccine available, UT Health Austin will reach out to schedule an appointment. More information can be found here.

Walmart

Pharmacy staff will schedule a second appointment on-site when customers receive their first dose at a Sam's Club or Walmart location. In addition to appointments, the online scheduler will provide a digital reminder when it is time to return for the second appointment. More information, including links to the Walmart and Sam's Club schedulers, can be found here.

Williamson County

Williamson County's partner Family Hospital Systems will email first dose recipients within a week to schedule second dose appointments, which will take place 28 to 42 days after the first appointment. FHS does not accept walk-ups. More information can be found here.