COVID-19 vaccination information and resources

January 22, 2021

The COVID-19 vaccination is now available in Texas, although when and where you can get it varies by your age, risk factors and location throughout the state. 

We hope the following information is helpful. ERS updates our COVID-19 webpages as new information is available—check the site regularly. Please direct questions about the vaccine to your health care provider or visit the websites linked below.

Get the safe, effective vaccine at no cost, when you can

Senior woman getting vaccination in doctors officeAll ERS health plans cover COVID-19 vaccination at 100%. That means health plan participants should not have to pay anything out of pocket to be vaccinated against COVID-19, once the vaccine is available to them. (Everyone, whether or not they have health insurance, should be able to get the vaccine at no cost, when it is available to them.) For information on when and where you can get a COVID-19 vaccination, contact your health plan, primary care provider or other health care provider. 

We encourage you and your family to get vaccinated as soon as you can. Information gathered in large-scale clinical trials and thoroughly reviewed by scientists at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration shows that the vaccines are safe and effective. Keep in mind that the vaccines available at this time require two doses for the best protection, so you will need to get a second COVID-19 vaccination three or four weeks after your first one.

Continue taking common-sense precautions

It will be months before most people are vaccinated, and health experts are still learning about the immunity provided by the vaccines. You should continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 even after your vaccination.

  • Stay home when you can.
  • Avoid large gatherings.
  • Maintain physical distance and wear a mask when interacting with people outside your household.

Learn more

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information about the vaccine and COVID-19. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has detailed information about the vaccine in Texas:

In addition, OptumRx, administrator of the HealthSelectSM Prescription Drug Program, has helpful information about the vaccine and COVID-19 in general. The information is available to everyone, not just HealthSelect participants.

Medicare-enrolled members also can read information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’).

Avoid scams

Criminals are impersonating government agencies to scam people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pay close attention to emails or calls you get, especially if they ask for personal or financial information. Read helpful tips from the Office of the Texas Attorney General on how to avoid COVID-19 vaccination scams.