Texas DSHS Announces New COVID-19 Vaccination Group

Because the U.S. supply of COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be limited at first, CDC is providing recommendations to federal, state, and local governments about who should be vaccinated first. CDC’s recommendations are based on those from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an independent panel of medical and public health experts.

The recommendations were made with these goals in mind:

• Decrease death and serious disease as much as possible.
• Preserve functioning of society.
• Reduce the extra burden COVID-19 is having on people already facing disparities.

While CDC makes recommendations for who should be offered COVID-19 vaccine first, each state has its own plan for deciding who will be vaccinated first and how they can receive vaccines. Please contact your local health department for more information on COVID-19 vaccination in your area.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) continues to receive doses of the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines, and is distributing statewide to hospitals, pharmacies, local health departments, freestanding ERs, and other clinics.

Spring 2021 is the best estimate of when vaccine will be available for the general public, but that may change. It depends on vaccine production and how quickly other vaccines become available.

Phase 1A

• Direct care - Hospital, long-term care, EMS, 9-1-1-, home health, outpatient, ER/urgent care, pharmacies, last responders, school nurses
• Long-term care residents and facilities

Phase 1B

• Persons 65+ or 16+ with at least one chronic medical condition, including pregnancy

With the federal directive, the following education and child care personnel are now eligible to be vaccinated in Texas:

• Those who work in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools;
• Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff, and bus drivers); and
• Those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers.

Additional information for educators and school staff is available in the Texas Education Agency (TEA) K-12 COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ.

Beginning March 15, persons age 50-64 will be eligible to receive the vaccine under Phase 1C.