Texas CDC Is moving away from the recommendations of who should get the next Covid-19 vaccine.
The CDC suggests that teachers, first responders and other required workers should be in line.
Texas says it will focus on people aged 65 or older, and people with a specific chronic medical condition in what is known as Phase 1-B. The list of COVID-19 vaccine preferences is located at the bottom of this article.
For now, the rollout is on at Phase 1-A. This includes health care workers, people with long-term care facilities, EMS workers and home health care workers.
On Monday, workers with CVS and Vaggrins began a full roll-out to inoculate residents of long-term care facilities.
The pharmacy chain is partnering with federal governments to vaccinate an estimated seven million people across the country in 70,000 long-term care facilities.
Roll-outs are now underway in dozens of states.
Efforts begin next Monday, Dec. 28, in more than 35 states, including Texas.
Chad Anderson, president of Comfort Care Management Co., said: “It’s been a long year and this is something we hope will be a game-changer for us in protecting our residents and keeping the virus out of our homes. . ”
Anderson runs four memory care facilities in North Texas. He says residents have spent most of the year exposed to COVID-19.
“The social impact of just being with someone gives you a hug for a minute or rubs your back or it’s very important to see some people,” Anderson said.
Anderson expects about 60% of staff and 90% of residents to be vaccinated.
In Texas, CVS will send staff to 2,000 long-term care facilities to vaccinate 275,000 people.
CVS teams will make three visits to each facility ensuring residents and staff receive an initial shot and complex booster after three weeks.
“Now we can get families together, so it feels so good to know we’re moving forward,” said John Fratamico, local district leader for CVS Health.
More than 70% of Texans killed by Covid-19 are 65 or older, the Texas State Health Services Department said Monday.
Texas Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccination priority
- People 65 years and older
- People with at least one chronic medical condition who are 16 years of age and older who cause COVID-19 have an increased risk of serious illness, such as but not limited to:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathy
- Solid organ transplantation
- Obesity and acute obesity (body mass index of 30 kg / m2 or more)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
.
