Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine is ready to be administered in the Houston area with a new group priority

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – More Texans have a chance to receive treatment after the last shipment of COVID-19 vaccines arrived Wednesday at Houston Memorial Hospital in Houston.

The advent of the Modern Vaccine means that Hermann Memorial health officials can move to Phase 1B of Texas Vaccine Allocation Guidelines, allowing them to treat more people who were not a priority during Phase 1A. The hospital is scheduled to move to this phase next week.

SEE ALSO: The first doses of the Moderna vaccine will arrive today at UMMC Houston

Phase 1A sets focus primarily on health care workers and front-line workers. Now, other populations, such as lifeguards, community pharmacists and school nurses, will be able to schedule their appointments.

To Phase 1B, the priority will be extended to all people over the age of 65 and all people over the age of 16 who suffer from at least one chronic illness.

SEE ALSO: Texas will prioritize 65-year-olds and older for the next round of vaccinations

According to Texas death certificate data, more than 70% of COVID-19-related deaths were of people 65 years of age or older.

Memorial Hermann said that since the new phase will allow the vaccine to be distributed to a wider range of people, they hope it will begin to protect a number of critical populations who are at greater risk of contracting the virus because of their profession.

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