Up for the Task: Younger Texans Are Helping Older Family Members Get COVID-19 Vaccine

Jackie Tidwell, a sixth-generation Texan living in Seattle, made it her mission to get her 90-year-old grandfather in Corpus Christi vaccinated for COVID-19 and hopes others “have persistent grandkids like me.” Listen, in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast.

Jackie Tidwell is among a growing number of adult children and grandchildren helping older family members get access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Tidwell, a content designer for a major tech company in Seattle, made it her mission to get her 90-year-old grandfather in Corpus Christi vaccinated all the way from her home 2,300 miles away.

But, after attempting to navigate the local sign-up portal, ultimately all it took was a phone call to get retired Cmdr. David Gallegos Jr.—whom Tidwell adoringly calls “Pops”—the information he needed to get his first dose.

Listen, in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast.

This story has been edited for length. "Up for the task: Younger Texans are helping older family members get COVID-19 vaccine" was first published at texastribune.org/2021/02/06/texas-coronavirus-vaccine-access/ by The Texas Tribune. The Texas Tribune is proud to celebrate 10 years of exceptional journalism for an exceptional state.