Texas has rolled out its COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. On Monday, November 23, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s office released a strategy alongside the Department of State Health Services to allocate vaccines to at-risk groups. These guiding principles have been recommended by an expert vaccine allocation panel, which is made up of 17 medical professionals and public officials.
According to a media release, health care workers will be the first to receive the vaccine since they serve a critical role in caring and treating COVID-19 patients. Front line workers will be the next priority since they are at greater risk of being exposed to the virus. After them, vulnerable populations who have pre-existing conditions will be the next focus, as well as communities suffering from health inequities due to geography, poverty or insurance status.
"These guiding principles established by the expert vaccine allocation panel will ensure that the state of Texas swiftly distributes the COVID-19 vaccine to Texans who voluntarily choose to be immunized," Gov. Abbott says in the media release. “This foundation for the allocation process will help us mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, protect the most vulnerable Texans and safeguard crucial state resources."
Health care workers could receive the vaccine as early as next month. The panel will make recommendations on when to roll out the vaccine to other critical groups.
For more information, visit Gov.Texas.gov.