Here’s who will be included in the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations across Texas

Austin, Texas – The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination across Texas will prioritize older residents and those most at risk of serious illness and death from the virus, state health officials announced Monday.

According to the Department of State Health Services, more than 70% of COVID-19 deaths in Texas have occurred in people 65 and older, and scientific evidence shows that adults with certain medical conditions are at an increased risk of hospitalization and death if she’s sick with COVID-19.

The Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel (EVAP) recommended that these different groups be vaccinated in Phase 1B of the vaccine distribution to limit deaths from COVID-19 and help reduce the burden on state hospitals.

The list contains people aged 65 and over and people 16 years of age and older who have at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for serious illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, including, but not limited to:

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

“The focus on people 65 and older or with co-morbidities will protect the most vulnerable populations,” said Imelda Garcia, EVAP chairman and DSHS commissioner. “This approach ensures that Texans most at risk from COVID-19 can be protected across races and ethnicities, regardless of where they work.”

The state is currently in Phase 1A of vaccine distribution, including residents of long-term care facilities and primary health care workers.

There are an estimated 1.9 million Texans in the Phase 1A group, which means that it will likely take at least a few weeks for a transition to Phase 1B to occur.

The timing also depends on the supply of vaccines to Texas. You can get more information about phase 1B here.

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