Health Care, Frontline Workers Will Be First To Receive COVID Vaccine In TX

Health care workers and frontline workers will be the first people in Texas to receive a coronavirus vaccine once its available.

Gov. Greg Abbott and state health officials released on Monday plans to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine.

"These guiding principles established by the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel will ensure that the State of Texas swiftly distributes the COVID-19 vaccine to Texans who voluntarily choose to be immunized.

“This foundation for the allocation process will help us mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, protect the most vulnerable Texans, and safeguard crucial state resources," Abbott said in a statement.

The earliest a vaccine will likely be available is mid-December, USAToday reported. Without a guaranteed release date for the vaccine, Texas' distribution guidelines has very few specifics.

The state did outline who will be eligible to receive the shot once its available. Hospital employees who work directly with COVID-19 patients will get priority. Next health care employees and frontline workers will be able to receive the vaccine.

People with chronic illnesses, older people, nursing home residents, and other vulnerable populations will be prioritized over younger, healthy people. Younger populations will likely be able to receive a vaccine starting in the spring or summer months, Fox 7 reported.

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