Also, seniors will be able to get vaccinated without appointments.
Beginning today, March 29, all adults are able to get vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus in Texas. [Featured image: @Frederic J. BROWN / AFP]
Since last December, COVID-19 vaccines have been restricted to certain groups, such as health care workers, those over the age of 50, school and daycare center employees, and people aged 16 years and older with medical preconditions. Starting today, Monday, March 29, vaccines are available for all adults 16 and older regardless of occupation.
“We are closing in on 10 million doses administered in Texas, and we want to keep up the momentum as the vaccine supply increases,” said Imelda Garcia, chair of the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel and DSHS associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services.
According to the Texas Tribune, over 9.3 million vaccine doses have been administered in the state as of Tuesday, March 23 – 3 million of which have been fully vaccinated with both doses. The state population is 29 million.
Health officials are still encouraging vaccine providers to give priority to seniors over the age of 80, be it by appointment or walk-in.
“We want to make sure that people sign up and are ready to get vaccinated as our supply increases and state guidelines are updated,” said director of healthcare epidemiology and infection control for the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Dr. Janak Patel. “Signing up now means that you are already on the list when the criteria are changed to allow more people to be vaccinated.”
All three vaccines, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, are presently available in Texas.
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