APH launches vaccine pre-registration site

Austin Public Health has opened a pre-registration system designed to distribute its allocation of Covid-19 vaccines. Though the site immediately had technical issues upon launching, it will allow residents without other means of obtaining the vaccine to pre-register this week for the state allocation, which stands at 12,000 (less than 1 percent of the area’s population). Pre-registration for the vaccine is taking place for those in groups 1A (front-line health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities) and 1B (those 65 and older or people with a chronic health condition that puts them at high risk of illness from Covid). If individuals are registered, meet the criteria and there are appointments available, they can then move on to making an appointment. If there are no appointments available or they don’t meet the requirements, they will be put on a waitlist. Appointments are required to receive the vaccine. Residents with private insurance are encouraged to call their pharmacy or primary care physician about obtaining the vaccine.