COVID-19 Vaccine | Texas Children's Health Plan

COVID-19 Vaccine

January 13, 2021

At Texas Children’s Health Plan, the safety and health of our members are our top priorities. We are proud to be your choice for care and thank you for being part of our family.

We have started our plans to begin vaccinating our members against COVID-19. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is approved for people age 16 and older and the Moderna vaccine is approved for those 18 and older. At this time, the State has approved vaccines for specific groups of people who have a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

We will get in touch with eligible members once we receive more information on the COVID-19 vaccine availability and administration processes.

If you are eligible to get the vaccine, please check the Texas COVID‑19 Vaccine Availability map to find vaccination locations near you.  

Right now, vaccine locations and quantities are limited. We have asked our providers to register so they can receive and administer the COVID-19 vaccine. Once providers are approved, more vaccination locations will open to members. Also, as vaccine quantities grow, we expect vaccinations to include more groups.

Please continue to be safe during the pandemic: wear a mask, wash your hands often, social distance, stay home if you are sick and avoid large crowds.

See below for a list of frequently asked questions. The information about COVID-19 changes quickly and this page will be updated with the latest information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the COVID-19 vaccine a covered benefit under CHIP/Medicaid?

  • Yes, it is.

How can my child receive the vaccine? 

  • If your child is eligible to get the vaccine, we will contact eligible members to schedule an appointment once we receive more information on the COVID-19 vaccine availability and administration processes.

Which vaccine are you administering to members?

  • Currently, we will offer both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Vaccines are allocated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and members will receive one of these two products.

As a parent or caretaker, will I also be eligible to receive the vaccine? 

  • Currently, we can only offer the vaccine to our members who meet the State’s vaccination criteria. 

Can my child’s siblings also receive the vaccine?

  • Currently, we can only offer the vaccine to our members who meet the State’s vaccination criteria. 

Can my child receive the vaccine if they have symptoms of COVID-19?

  • If your child has symptoms of COVID-19 or is considered to be in close contact with someone with COVID-19, vaccination should be postponed until they have recovered and criteria is met for them to stop quarantine.

Should my child receive the vaccine if they have already had COVID-19?

  • Yes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination regardless of history of prior infection.

When will children younger than 16 be able to receive the vaccine?

  • At this time, the Pfizer vaccine is approved for people age 16 and older and the Moderna vaccine is approved for those 18 and older. We believe younger children will be able to get it in the future when more safety information is available.

Which vaccines are currently available?

  • There are currently two vaccines that have received authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use. The first, produced by Pfizer and BioNTech, is authorized for people age 16 and older. The second, produced by Moderna, is authorized for those 18 and older.

What is in the vaccines?

  • Both vaccines use messenger RNA (mRNA) to teach the immune system how to create antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19, so the virus can’t enter your cells. This technology has been used before to create vaccines against SARS, which is how these vaccines were able to be developed and moved into clinical trials so quickly.

Do the vaccines work?

  • Efficacy of two doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine is 95%. This means that, in clinical trials, the vaccine prevented approximately 95% of vaccinated people from getting COVID-19, and only approximately 5% of vaccinated people developed COVID-19 disease. Additionally, efficacy of two doses of the Moderna vaccine is 94.1%.

Are they safe?

  • From initial data, we know mild side effects are common. If you’re vaccinated, you should expect some side effects, particularly after the second dose. These side effects are common and may occur after any vaccine. Although uncomfortable, these side effects are a sign that your immune system is responding to the vaccine and is learning to recognize the virus for the future. The short-term safety of these vaccines is clear.

Can a COVID-19 vaccine make me sick with COVID-19?

  • No. The vaccine does not contain a live virus that can replicate inside of your body. So, the vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19.

How long will the vaccines work?

  • We don’t know yet. As clinical trials continue, we’ll know more about how long immunity lasts and if more doses will be necessary. Please stay safe during the pandemic: wear a mask, wash your hands often, social distance, stay home if you are sick and avoid large crowds.

What can I do if my child is not feeling well?

  • If your child is experiencing a cough or fever, or if you have questions about COVID-19, please schedule an appointment with your health care provider.

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