Here’s who is eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine in Texas during the next phase of the launch

HOUSTON – State health officials prioritize the elderly and people with serious illnesses in the next phase of the launch of the coronavirus vaccine.

Currently, only front-line health workers and people living in long-term care centers are eligible to receive the vaccine in what is called phase 1A.

In Phase 1B, as it is called, the vaccine will be more widely available to everyone 65 years of age or older and to people 16 years of age or older with at least one chronic illness. These conditions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Cancer.
• Chronic kidney disease.
• COPD.
• Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary heart disease or cardiomyopathies.
• Transplantation of solid organs.
• Obesity and severe obesity (BMI of 30 kg / m2 or more).
• Pregnancy.
• Sickle cell disease.
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

“Focusing on people over the age of 65 or who have comorbidities will protect the most vulnerable populations,” said Imelda Garcia, chair of the State Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel and associate commissioner of the Department of State Health Services for laboratory services and infectious diseases. . “This approach ensures that jeans with the most severe risk of COVID-19 can be protected between races and ethnicities and regardless of where they work.”

Officials said it will likely be a few weeks before the transition to phase 1B begins, depending on the amount of vaccine provided in Texas and how the vaccine is given among priority populations.

You can find more information at dshs.texas.gov.