With COVID-19 cases on the rise, state health officials are starting to target young people in a new campaign promoting vaccination.

The Astros have now hit the 85% vaccination threshold, meaning the team will be relaxing their coronavirus protocols, according to general manager James Click.

HOUSTON – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its quarantine guidelines to say that people who have been fully vaccinated no longer need to quarantine if they are exposed to someone with the coronavirus. According to the new guidelines, a vaccinated person who has been exposed to someone who is of having suspected or has confirmed COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they meet certain requirements. The requirements include:Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine)Are within three months following receipt of the last dose in the series. Anyone who does not meet the above requirements should adhere to standard quarantine guidelines should they be exposed, the CDC said. People who are fully vaccinated, but do not quarantine, should still watch for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days following the exposure, according to the CDC.

HOUSTON – Dorinda Beal, 73, received the Moderna vaccine on Jan. 17 at NRG Park in Houston. She said about 14 minutes after being vaccinated she started seeing my adverse effects. “They were concerned because my blood pressure went so high and my heart rate went so high,” said Beal. Since Dec. 29, 2020, nearly 250,000 vaccines have been administered in Texas, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. “For perspective, early data showed that approximately one-of-100,000 people that got Pfizer got anaphylactic reactions and one-in-400,000 people in Moderna.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – The Montgomery County Public Health District said Monday that its 400 pre-registration slots filled within nine minutes. All 400 pre-registration slots for vaccines filled within 9 minutes. — Montgomery County Public Health (@MontCo_PH) January 25, 2021The county had opened a COVID-19 vaccine pre-registration site for people who fall under phase 1B. People are being asked to go to https://www.mchd-tx.org/ where the county will provide the link to pre-register for vaccines. If you are on the pre-registration list and do NOT receive a vaccine in this allocation, you will be required to sign up again for the next allocation.

ANGLETON, Texas – The Brazoria County Health Department has opened coronavirus vaccine appointments at four clinic locations. The clinics are located at Angleton, Alvin, Lake Jackson and Pearland. Health officials said the Angleton and Alvin health clinics are still administering second dose vaccines but are now beginning to take appointments for those needing the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Officials said people who are eligible to receive the vaccine under the current phases can make an appointment online by clicking here. Appointments are required to receive the vaccine.

RICHMOND, Texas – Fort Bend County Judge KP George gave an update on the coronavirus vaccine in Fort Bend County. Minter said health care workers and people in Phase 1B can register now at fbchealth.org. In Harris County, there is no plan by county officials to offer the vaccine to the residents on a mass distribution basis. In Brazoria County, COVID-19 vaccine distribution will take place at Brazoria County health clinics, according to officials, once the county receives the vaccine. Residents can get the latest updates from the county at www.brazoriacountytx.govAnd if you live in Montgomery County, officials there said they are not involved in any mass distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine at this time.

Giuseppe Colasurdo, president of UTHealth, opened the news conference asking people to have patience when it comes to getting the vaccine. That group includes those over 65 and people 16 and older dealing with certain health issues. Turner emphasized the importance of getting the vaccine and how impactful it is for leaders to set an example for the communities. Many people in communities of color, and other communities, are reluctant to get the vaccine, Turner said. Coleman said he wants people who have health issues to see him getting the vaccine and feel encouraged to get it.

CHAMBERS COUNTY, Texas – Multiple healthcare facilities across Chambers County received the first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday, according to a news release. The 1,000 doses will be given to health care workers who have been working on the front line throughout the pandemic. “DSHS has established an Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel (EVAP) who predetermines what populations will receive the vaccine and in what order. Nursing home residents and workers will be vaccinated through federal pharmacy partnerships, the county said. According to the county, the second phase of vaccinations is expected to begin in January, if the vaccine supply allows.

HOUSTON – United Airlines is taking part in Operation Warp Speed and helping distribute the COVID-19 vaccines to Americans. “When we had the significant reduction to our passengers schedule, we realized we needed to do something to help,” said Christopher Busch, Managing Director, United Airlines. Since March, United Airlines started “cargo-only” flights to help ship PPE all over the world. The Pfizer vaccine must be stored at -94 degrees Fahrenheit. But if it must be stored, United has the capability to keep both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in its cargo facilities, like the one at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)At KPRC 2, we’re dedicated to keeping Houstonians informed. As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: If a person has received the COVID vaccine or has antibodies after recovery, do they still need to wear a mask? Answer: Despite the approved Moderna and Pfizer vaccines offering about 95% efficacy at preventing serious illness, those who get vaccinated for COVID-19 or have antibodies will need to continue wearing a mask. Send it our way, and we will try to hunt down an answer.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense gave a briefing with on Operation Warp Speed and COVID-19 vaccine distribution. You can watch the briefing in the video attached to this story.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense held a briefing with Operation Warp Speed on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. View the briefing below:The Food and Drug Administration held a briefing Saturday following its authorization of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use Friday. View the briefing in its entirety below:The U.S. gave the final go-ahead Friday to the nation’s first COVID-19 vaccine, marking what could be the beginning of the end of an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans. The U.S. is considering a second vaccine, made by Moderna Inc., that could roll out in another week. In addition, the FDA insisted that large COVID-19 vaccine studies track at least half the participants for two months to look for side effects, a time period when historically any vaccine problems appear.

HOUSTON – H-E-B will be one of the places where you can get the coronavirus vaccine when it becomes available. The Texas-based grocer said Thursday that its pharmacies will partner with federal and state governments to provide the vaccine to the general public. A federal panel voted this week to make the first doses of the vaccine available to health care workers and long-term care facility residents. Some experts have said it may be spring or summer before the vaccine is widely available to the general public. According to the CDC, doses of the vaccine purchased with taxpayer money will be given to people at no cost.

Two-thirds of American voters say theyre not going to get a coronavirus vaccine, according to USA Today / Suffolk poll. Thats about 67% of voters who say they either will never get one or want the majority of other people to get one first before they do. Politics and operation warp speed are some of the reasons people claim to be hesitant about getting a vaccine. That operation was started by President Trump in an effort to get a vaccine available to the public at rapid speed. We need it now.Many scientists say they probably wont be able to prove effectiveness until 2021.