According to Governor Greg Abbott, a "significant portion" of the more than 600,000 coronavirus vaccines delivered to health care providers in Texas "might be sitting on hospital shelves" rather than being given to residents.
The state's chief health official ordered providers Tuesday to begin offering vaccines to individuals over the age of 65 and those that have medical conditions putting them at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. The health official said that "no vaccine should be kept in reserve."
Dr. John Hellerstedt, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, said, "The time to vaccinate willing individuals is now. Based on the data reported to (the Texas immunization registry), it has become clear that a significant portion of vaccine in Texas may not be administered yet. We know you have valid reasons as to why this has happened in some cases- but we also know that every day a vaccine sits on the shelf if another day that prolongs the pandemic that is hindering our state's economy and way of life."
State health officials estimated that 1.4 million Texans would receive the first two doses of the vaccine by Thursday. The second dose will be administered in January.
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Source: Austin American-Statesman