TWU Student Health Services received a limited allotment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine over winter break and began administering the vaccine to eligible members of the TWU Community earlier this month.

The university must follow strict guidelines regarding how the vaccine can be administered as well as phased eligibility criteria based on risk factors that must be considered. 

Due to Texas Department of State Health Services requirements, TWU can only administer it on the Denton campus in Student Health Services facilities. Eligible faculty, staff and students on the Dallas campus are invited to come to the Denton campus to receive the vaccine.

The phased approach to vaccine distribution prioritizes health care and long-term care workers who are most likely to be exposed to COVID-19 (Phase 1A). Subsequent vaccine distribution includes people of high risk (Phase 1B). TWU is working to identify faculty, staff and students who may be eligible for Phase 1B distribution; however, at this time we do not know when the university will receive another allotment. We also have no way of predicting how many doses we will be allocated.

Houston information

University officials recognize that many Houston faculty, staff and students serve as frontline healthcare workers in various clinical settings and have been unable to access the vaccine despite meeting the eligibility criteria to receive it. In order to prioritize the health and safety of TWU community on all three of our campuses, a specific COVID-19 vaccine clinic for Phase 1A and Phase 1B eligible Houston students, faculty, and staff will be offered 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 16, at Student Health Services in Denton.

For those who do not have access to a vehicle, transportation will be provided to a limited number of individuals via chartered motor coaches that will depart from the Houston campus at 8 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 16. The availability of transportation in the motor coach will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The motor coaches will be occupied at no more than 50% capacity and riders will be required to practice social distancing and must wear face coverings at all times. Due to risks associated with being in close proximity to others in an enclosed space for an extended period of time, those who have access to a vehicle are strongly encouraged to drive themselves.

TWU also will hold a second COVID-19 vaccine clinic for those from the Houston campus who participate in this event to administer the second dose of the vaccine. SHS will provide documentation of your first dose of the Moderna vaccine so that if you cannot participate in the second event, you will be able to obtain the second dose of the vaccine from another source.

Houston faculty, staff and students should check their email for more information about registering for the Jan. 16 event.