ANY TEXAS ADULT CAN GET COVID-19 VACCINE STARTING MONDAY

  

Vaccine eligibility in Texas will expand to all adults beginning next week.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announced this (Tuesday) morning that it expects vaccine supplies to increase next week, so all adults in the state can be vaccinated for COVID-19 starting Monday.  The state’s Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel recommended opening vaccination to everyone who falls under the current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorizations to “protect as many Texans as possible.”

The Regional Vaccination subHUB at the Washington County Expo opened up today’s vaccinations to anyone over 18.  The Brazos County Community Vaccination Hub also temporarily expanded eligibility for adults over 18 on Monday.

DSHS has directed vaccine providers to prioritize people 80 years or older when scheduling appointments and accommodate anyone in that age group who presents for vaccination, whether or not they have an appointment, by immediately moving them to the front of the line.  DSHS says this will ensure vaccination of anyone 80 or older with as small a burden on themselves as possible.

Also next week, the state will launch a website to allow people to register for a shot through some public health providers.  The public will be able to enroll in the Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler to identify upcoming vaccine clinics hosted by DSHS or a participating local health department.  They will be notified when new clinics and appointments become available.  Residents can find additional providers through the DSHS Vaccine Information page at https://dshs.texas.gov/covidvaccine.  A toll-free number will also be available to provide assistance when making an appointment.

To date, according to DSHS, Texas has administered more than 9.3 million vaccine doses, equating to more than 6 million people with at least one dose and more than 3 million fully vaccinated.  Most vaccines are authorized for people 18 years old and older; the FDA has authorized the Pfizer vaccine for use in people 16 and older.