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| Austin American-statesman
How many vaccines, how many cases of COVID-19 have there been in Texas?
A year after the start of the pandemic, more than 2.3 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Texas.
Nate Chute, Wochit
Before the Texans in Groups 1A, 1B and 1C finally reach the point where they can roll up their sleeve and receive the COVID-19 vaccine in their arm, they have to make an appointment and often stand in line. But there is no step or checkpoint before vaccination that requires proof of eligibility.
Since many people skip the line to get vaccinated before their turn, this begs the question: why don’t vaccine providers need proof of eligibility to ensure that vaccines will prioritize individuals?
For starters, the Texas Department of State Health Services wants it to be so. In their advice for vaccine provider centers, the seventh chance on the list is, “Don’t demand medical documentation.
The directive goes hand in hand with its counterparts, who ask vaccine providers not to limit vaccine eligibility based on location, race, ethnicity or income level. The DSHS does not want wasted vaccines. If there is no one in the priority groups available for an expiring vaccine, providers are instructed to “vaccinate anyone who agrees rather than let them go to waste.”
“We don’t want to create barriers that would prevent people from getting vaccinated, and each person vaccinated slows the spread of disease and relieves pressure on the hospital system,” said Lara Anton, spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health. Services.
Vaccine suppliers can check medical records if they have access to them, according to Anton. Otherwise, people should not have to bring medical records to receive a vaccine. Austin Public Health policy is not to even ask for ID when it comes to vaccine appointments, so immigration status isn’t a deterrent. Rather, they accept anyone who, according to the registration questionnaire, qualifies for the vaccine.
“Our hope is that individuals are honest and don’t skip the line to help us ensure that the most vulnerable members continue to have access to the vaccine,” said an Austin Public Health spokesperson.
Outside of Texas, there is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a federal law that works to protect people’s health information. With COVID-19 planning apps and websites, the Civil Rights Office (OCR) has had to ease some restrictions to allow them to operate without penalty. In doing so, they always recommend planning sites and applications to incorporate as little protected health information as possible in addition to other backup measures.
So far, about 4.5 million Texans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, which represents about 15% of the state’s population.
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