Hill County looking to start 1C vaccination list, still filling Thursday clinic

Hill County Health Department, which said this morning it still had openings for a Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccination clinic Thursday and for eligible people to call for an appointment, said this afternoon it wants to start building its list for the next phase.

Health Director and Hill County Health Officer Kim Larson said the department is still in the 1B phase and cannot move to Phase 1C until the state authorizes that, but the department wants to start building its call list for when the change happens.

People eligible in Phase 1C includes anyone eligible in previous schedules and

• People 60 years and older

• Frontline essential workers

• Individuals residing in

congregate care and correctional facilities

• Persons age 16-59 with certain medical conditions:

- Asthma, moderate to severe

- Cerebrovascular disease

- Cystic Fibrosis

- Hypertension

- Immunocompromised state due to blood/bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or other immune weakening medications

- Neurologic conditions

- Liver disease

- Overweight (BMI >25 but <40)

- Pulmonary Fibrosis

- Thalassemia

People eligible for Phase 1C are urged to call 400-2369 immediately to get on the list for the vaccinations in that phase.

And spaces were still available this afternoon in the Phase 1B clinic set for Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. People can call 400-2369 to take a spot at that clinic.

People eligible under Phase 1B are people 70 and older, people 16 to 69 with qualifying underlying illness and Native Americans and other people of color believed to be at higher risk from COVID-19, will continue until April.

The eligible underlying qualifying conditions for people ages 16-19 are:

• Cancer

• Chronic kidney disease

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD

• Down Syndrome

• Heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies

• Immunocompromised state - weakened immune system - from solid organ transplant

• Severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2)

• Sickle cell disease

• Types 1 and 2 diabetes

• On a case-by-case basis, medical providers may include individuals with other conditions that place them at elevated risk for COVID-19 related complications.