Here’s who is eligible for the Texas coronavirus vaccine during the next phase of rollout

HOUSTON – State health officials are prioritizing seniors and those with serious illnesses in the next phase of the coronavirus vaccine rollout.

Currently, only primary health workers and people living in long-term care facilities are eligible for the vaccine in what is called Phase 1A.

In Phase 1B, as it is called, the vaccine will be made more widely available to anyone 65 or older and people 16 or older or older with at least one chronic medical condition. These terms include, but are not limited to:

• Cancer.
• Chronic kidney disease.
• COPD.
• Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies.
• Solid organ transplantation.
• Obesity and severe overweight (BMI of 30 kg / m2 or higher).
• Pregnancy.
• Sickle cell disease.
• Diabetes mellitus type 2.

“The focus on people 65 and older or who have comorbidities will protect the most vulnerable populations,” said Imelda Garcia, chair of the state’s Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel and the Department of State Health Services’ Associate Commissioner for laboratory – and infectious diseases. . “This approach ensures that Texans most at risk from COVID-19 can be protected across races and ethnicities, regardless of where they work.”

Officials said it will likely take a few weeks for the transition to Stage 1B to begin, depending on the amount of vaccine supplied to Texas and how the vaccine is used among priority populations.

More information can be found at dshs.texas.gov.