Learn how Allyson inspires her team and continues to build a culture of caring at Texas Children’s. Read More
January 4, 2022
Beth Pali and Briane Martin share their Nursing Shared Governance experience. Read more
Flu activity continues to grow across Texas with numerous cases being reported every day. As a result, Texas Children’s continues to see increases in patient and employee visits due to flu-like symptoms, and we expect that trend to continue in the weeks ahead. Although we have made some progress on our flu vaccination efforts over these last few weeks, we are still aiming to achieve our goal of a greater than 90% participation rate.
- Flu Vaccination Progress: As of January 4, 77.5% of our employees are vaccinated.
- To receive a flu vaccine on-site at any of our three hospital locations, you may walk-in to the Employee Health Clinic Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Employees may now schedule their flu vaccine at a TCP location across Houston, Austin, and College Station. To learn more, click here.
More information
- If you have received your flu vaccine outside of Texas Children’s, please submit an attestation and proof of vaccination as soon as possible via texaschildrensbenefits.org/flu. You may also show proof of vaccination to Employee Health to receive a 21/22 flu badge sticker.
- All employees – including community partners in Austin, Central Texas and those working remotely – are covered for a flu shot at 100% through Texas Children’s medical plans when administered by an in-network pharmacy.
To answer any questions, please reference this handy list of frequently asked questions.
If you have any questions, please contact Employee Health at 832-824-2150, option 5.
January 2, 2022
Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine announced on December 28, that CORBEVAX, a protein sub-unit COVID-19 Vaccine, whose technology was created and engineered at its Center for Vaccine Development (CVD), has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to launch first in India, with other underserved countries to follow.
Commenting on this historic news for Texas Children’s, Mark Wallace said, “I cannot begin to express how monumental this is for Texas Children’s, Dr. Peter Hotez, Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi and their teams – but even more so, how monumental this is for the entire world. In the U.S., we have had access to the COVID-19 vaccine for a year – but around the globe, many countries are desperately waiting for the tool they need to overcome the pandemic, and the emergence of the Omicron variant emphasizes this dire need.”
Large-scale, fast and low-cost production
Dubbed “The World’s COVID-19 Vaccine,” CORBEVAX uses a traditional recombinant protein-based technology that will enable its production at large scales making it widely accessible to inoculate the global population. Because the vaccine uses a conventional production platform that has been in use for decades, it can be easily and quickly produced in existing manufacturing facilities around the world at a very low cost. The two-dose vaccine also relies on standard refrigeration storage conditions, making delivery of massive quantities of this vaccine to remote, rural populations possible.
More about the vaccine development and testing
The initial construct and production process of the vaccine antigen was developed at Texas Children’s Hospital CVD, led by co-directors Drs. Maria Elena Bottazzi and Peter Hotez and in-licensed from BCM Ventures, Baylor College of Medicine’s integrated commercialization team, to Hyderabad-based vaccine and pharmaceutical company Biological E. Limited (BE). After completing two Phase III clinical trials involving more than 3000 subjects, CORBEVAX was found to be safe, well tolerated and immunogenic.
“This announcement is an important first step in vaccinating the world and halting the pandemic. Our vaccine technology offers a path to address an unfolding humanitarian crisis, namely the vulnerability the low- and middle-income countries face against the delta variant,” said Dr. Peter Hotez, Professor and Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor and Co-Director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development. “Widespread and global vaccination with our Texas Children’s-Baylor-BE vaccine would also forestall the emergence of new variants. We have previously missed that opportunity for the alpha and delta variant. Now is our chance to prevent a new global wave from what might follow.”
Keep an eye on the national news as this exciting announcement is shared with the world.
December 28, 2021
Near the one-year anniversary when COVID vaccines were made available nationwide on Dec. 14, 2020, the City of Houston and Texas Children’s will host two vaccination clinics from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, and Friday, Jan. 7, at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
A joint press conference was held on Monday, Dec. 13, at the Texas Children’s vaccine clinic in the Pavilion to promote the event, and news stories followed on several news outlets including KHOU Channel 11 Houston and:
- NBC News
- KPRC Channel 2 Houston
- KRIV Channel 26 Houston
- KTRK Channel 13 Houston
- Telemundo Houston
- Univision Houston
- Houston Chronicle
- CW 39
- NTV Houston
The clinics are open to anyone needing a vaccination, including children as young as five. Online appointments are encouraged, although walk-ins are welcome. Families and children who attend will find kid-friendly spaces with toys and coloring books. Parking will be free for those who drive. No ride? No problem. METRO will offer free rides to the clinic. Find more information here.
Organizers hope to administer vaccines to 5000 community members starting with the first event. Mayor Turner encouraged potential attendees to check out downtown, enjoy the holiday lights and make it a family event.
Stacy McMonigle shares her experience at the Nursing Strategic Plan Virtual Retreat. Read More
Please watch a video from our President and CEO as he discusses the Kronos outage, his gratitude for or One Amazing Team and his response for employees.