COVID-19 Vaccines

Texas COVID-19 Information and Resources.

 

As of March 29, 2021, all Texans ages 16 and older are eligible to get COVID-19 vaccines, regardless of job or health status.

Vaccine Information

Stay Up to Date With COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on COVID-19 vaccine options for all age groups and timelines for when to get vaccine boosters. This resource includes additional information for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

Making Vaccination Safe and Comfortable
The University of Houston-Clear Lake, with support from TCDD, created training materials to help medical professionals, family members, and community health aides promote cooperation, comfort, and safety for people with DD receiving vaccines or other health care services. The materials are part of a project called Behavior Analysis for Inclusive Vaccine Administration to address health care disparities experienced by people with DD.

The training includes modules for health care professionals, parents and caregivers, and community health aides. Each module features an online video, a supplemental PDF handbook, and virtual Q&A sessions.

Information About the COVID-19 Vaccine
Many people have questions about the COVID-19 virus and vaccine. These three sharable one-pagers identify why people with intellectual disabilities may be at greater risk against the COVID-19 virus, answer common questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, and explain the difference between an additional vaccine shot and a booster shot.

COVID-19 Risks for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Frequently Asked Questions About the COVID-19 Vaccine

Additional COVID-19 Vaccines and Booster Shots: What’s the Difference?

Common Questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine with Dr. Sonja Rasmussen
Dr. Sonja Rasmussen joins TCDD to answer common questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. These short videos explain how people with disabilities are affected by the COVID-19 virus, why getting the COVID-19 vaccine is important, and questions you may have about vaccinating children.

Common Questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine

Common Questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine and Children

At Least I am Making People Think About It
On the Self-Advocacy Online blog, James Meadours shares his thoughts on why he chose to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Meadours is a self-advocate and social justice leader based in San Antonio, Texas.

COVID-19 Booster Shot
People with disabilities can call 888-677-1199 or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org for additional help when making a booster appointment.

FEMA Community Vaccination Centers
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is managing set-up and operations for Community Vaccination Centers. Vaccination centers are established by state, local, tribal, or territorial partners and may receive any combination of federal equipment, funding, and personnel. These locations may vary in size and number of vaccinations they can administer in a day.

Civil Rights Checklist
FEMA’s Office of Equal Rights has provided this Civil Rights Checklist (PDF) as a tool to assist communities in providing access to vaccine-related programs, activities, and services in a nondiscriminatory manner.

COVID-19 Best Practices Information: Considerations for People with Disabilities (PDF)
This best practices document from FEMA provides guidance to communities on how to best ensure that people with disabilities have adequate access to goods and services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Facts About Covid-19 Vaccines for Direct Support Professionals (Webinar)
Direct-support professionals have been on the frontlines of supporting people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 vaccines are now here and becoming widely available. In this webinar, the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, in partnership with the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, address vaccine concerns and research-based information on the COVID-19 vaccines.

Things to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccination (FAQ sheet)
The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, in partnership with the Special Parent Information Network and Hawaii Department of Health Developmental Disabilities Division, have developed “Things to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccination” (PDF). The FAQ sheet includes information about the COVID-19 vaccine and the importance of getting vaccinated.

Opinion: Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Were Excluded From COVID-19 Vaccine Priority Guidelines (Article)
In this opinion article, Emily Hotez, Ph.D., discusses disability stigma in health care and how it led to the exclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) from COVID-19 vaccination guidelines.

Considerations for COVID-19 Clinic Accessibility

If you are a service provider at a COVID-19 vaccination location, the following recommendations serve to help you provide the support that people with disabilities may need when they receive vaccines. These tips are not comprehensive but serve as a thought-starter and step toward more accessible practices.

Successful Communication with People with Disabilities
Federal law requires COVID-19 vaccination sites and other medical facilities to ensure their staff can communicate effectively with people with disabilities.

There are many types of disabilities — some visible, some invisible — and each person has unique needs and preferences. The best thing to do is ask a person how you can support them while they receive a vaccine. TCDD, the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, and the Texas Department of State Health Services have developed guidelines to help you communicate effectively. Download the guidelines (485KB, PDF).

Use Accessible Technology
Ensure that all people with disabilities can use websites and other tools to schedule appointments and complete other tasks necessary to receive vaccines. This may include making sure patients in the clinic community have reliable internet connections and that your website is accessible to people who use screen readers or other assistive technologies to access information online. You should also have phone registration for those who do not have access to online appointment tools.

Provide Accommodations for Physical Needs
Vaccination locations should consider specific accommodations for people who use wheelchairs, walkers, or other devices that assist mobility. This includes having accessible parking spaces, accessible restrooms, and making sure your location has space to allow for appropriate social distancing, including space for caregivers and service animals.

Provide Patient-Centered Communications and Interpretation
Since disabilities come in many forms, including some that may not be visible, it is important to ask each person about their own unique needs and preferences. Instructions should be clear and simple. Consider using pictures, gestures, and objects that can help illustrate words and instructions (For example: Point to your ID picture as you say who you are and point to any protective equipment as you speak about it.).

Also, you may need to have qualified interpreters for people who speak languages other than English or for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing and communicate using American Sign Language (ASL). If you can’t get an interpreter, you can use a video remote interpreting (VRI) service, which works similarly to FaceTime or Skype. For ASL support, FEMA offers interpretation service (PDF) that can be accessed with a smartphone.

Design Your Site to Accommodate Sensory Needs
People with IDD, including those with autism, may need sensory-related accommodations. This may include designating areas with minimal lights, sounds, and smells, as well as providing space away from crowded lines or waiting areas.

Sign Up To Our Newsletter

Subscribe to TCDD eNews and receive important disability-related information via email. Just enter your email address and name, and then select the information you wish to receive.

* indicates required
Select the information you wish to receive:

When you press subscribe you are agreeing to TCDD’s Privacy Policy