News Release
Feb. 5, 2021
The state of Texas
will receive 401,750 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the federal
government for the week of Feb. 8. The Texas Department of State Health
Services has instructed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ship those
doses to 358 providers in 135 counties across Texas. That includes 85 hub
providers that will focus on broader community vaccination efforts including
the hardest hit populations and areas in exchange for a steady supply of
vaccine from week to week. An additional 273 providers will receive doses next
week with a focus on those that serve older adults, such as health departments,
pharmacies, federally
qualified health centers, community and rural clinics, and some medical
practices that specialize in care for older adults.
DSHS is encouraging providers to
make accommodations for people 75 and older, who remain at the highest risk of
severe disease, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. For example, providers
could set aside a certain number of doses for older adults, serve them during
special hours, help them move through vaccine clinics more quickly, or work
with local partners to facilitate in-home vaccination. This does not change the
groups eligible for vaccination.
In addition to the first doses
mentioned above, the state is ordering 330,925 doses intended as the second
dose for people first vaccinated a few weeks ago. DSHS is working with
providers to make sure that they order the number of second doses they need at
the appropriate time. People should be able to return to the same provider to
receive their second dose within six weeks of getting the first.
Texas providers have administered nearly
2.9 million doses of vaccine. More than 2.2 million people have received at
least one dose, and nearly 670,000 have been fully vaccinated. People are not
required to be vaccinated in their county of residence, and vaccine
has been administered to residents of all 254 counties.
Texas
continues to vaccinate health care workers, residents of long-term care
facilities, people 65 and older and those with medical conditions that put them
at greater risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Vaccine remains limited based on
the capacity of the manufacturers to produce it, so it will take time for Texas
to receive enough vaccine for all the people in the priority populations who
want to be vaccinated. Currently, there is not enough vaccine to supply every
provider with vaccine every week. Johnson & Johnson yesterday filed with
the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use authorization to distribute
its single-dose vaccine. The FDA will consider that application over the next
few weeks.
People can find more information on
COVID-19 vaccine at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx.
Helpful links:
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(News Media Contact: pressofficer@dshs.texas.gov