AUSTIN, TX -- On Tuesday morning Governor Greg Abbott announced beginning next Monday all adults will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas
As of this week, Texas has administered more than 9.3 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, equating to more than 6 million people with at least one dose and more than 3 million fully vaccinated.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, across the state local and state efforts have made the vaccination of priority groups possible. Next week the state expects vaccine supplies to increase and allow for the expansion of groups eligible for the vaccine.
“We are closing in on 10 million doses administered in Texas, and we want to keep up the momentum as the vaccine supply increases,” said Imelda Garcia, DSHS associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services and the chair of the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel. “As eligibility opens up, we are asking providers to continue to prioritize people who are the most at risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death – such as older adults.”
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To ensure elderly Texans continue to have access to the vaccine, DSHS has directed vaccine providers to prioritize people 80 years old or older when scheduling appointments and accommodate anyone in that age group who presents for vaccination.
Patients in this age group will have the vaccine administered regardless if they have an appointment and will be immediately moved to the front of the line.
The agency also announced it will be launching 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 and be notified when new clinics and appointments become available. Online registration will be the best option for most people.
For those for whom online registration is not an option, DSHS will launch a toll-free number to provide assistance making an appointment with a participating provider or locating another provider that has a vaccine available.
People can continue to find additional providers through the DSHS Vaccine Information page at dshs.texas.gov/covidvaccine.
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