Older jeans, those with certain conditions close to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine

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Texans 65 and older and those who are at least 16 years old with certain chronic medical conditions will be next to the COVID-19 vaccine, the Texas State Department of Health Services announced Monday.

“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 committee for vaccine allocation and associate commissioner of DSHS for the laboratory and diseases infectious. “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.”

The vaccine, which arrived in Texas on Dec. 14, has only been available so far for front-line health workers and long-term care center residents. There are nearly 1.9 million jeans in that group, so it is likely to be a few weeks before the state moves on to the next phase, state health officials said.

The state expects to receive 1.4 million doses of vaccine by the end of the month. Eligible facilities in the current phase include hospitals, pharmacies, nursing homes, and Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities.

A group, made up of state lawmakers, state and local health officials, medical experts and researchers, on Thursday recommended those eligible for the next phase. Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner, approved the recommendation Monday.

More than 42,000 doses of the vaccine had been administered in Texas as of Monday, according to state data.

Qualifying conditions for the next phase of the vaccine include, but are not limited to:

  • Cancer
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary heart disease, or cardiomyopathies
  • Transplantation of solid organs
  • Obesity and severe obesity
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus

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