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Gov. Abbott says Texas will receive 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine this month
It is not known how many of those doses will be sent to the DFW area, but a spokesperson for the Texas State Department health services said those decisions are being made at this time.
Governor Greg Abbott said Texas would receive an allocation of more than 1.4 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from the Centers for Disease Control.
This allocation is for the month of December, and doses are expected to begin distributing statewide starting the week of December 14.
Gov. Abbott added that the doses will be given to “qualified providers”, who will administer the vaccines based on “vaccine delivery principles developed by the state’s expert panel on vaccine allocation.”
Additional vaccine allocations could be made available later this month, and Gov. Abbott has said increased allocations are expected for January and beyond.
“The state of Texas is already ready for the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine and will quickly distribute these vaccines to Texans who voluntarily choose to be vaccinated,” Governor Abbott said in a statement. “While waiting for the first shipment of these vaccines, we will work with communities to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”
A file image shows a medical worker preparing a vaccine during a COVID-19 vaccine trial. (Photo by Adriana Adie / NurPhoto via Getty Images)
It is not known how many of those doses will be sent to the DFW area, but a spokesperson for the Texas State Department health services said those decisions are being made at this time.
Look at data like transmission rates, population density, and anonymous cell phone data to see areas where people congregate for long periods of time.
“By looking at the anonymized data, you can know where people congregate and stay together for a long time,” said UT Arlington research professor Dr. John Silva. “Anything beyond 15-20 minutes indoors means you really increase your risk of getting COVID.”
With those vulnerable areas and populations likely to be targeted for the vaccine.
“Blacks and Hispanics are at a much higher risk of developing COVID and they are also at greater risk of dying from COVID,” Dr. Silva.
Parkland doctor on vaccine: this is what we expected
With hospitals in North Texas at a tipping point, bars may close again soon and restaurants will have to re-seat their seats. In the meantime, Parkland Health chief medical officer Dr Joe Chang is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the first vaccines. He said it was what we expected and what could bring us back to normal.
Although the top two vaccine candidates have gone through several phases of testing, neither have received emergency FDA approval. There are still unknowns.
Moderna and Pfizer have both applied to the federal government for emergency clearance to distribute their vaccines. Pfizer is due for review by the FDA next week, Moderna is not reviewed until December 17.
Governor Abbott has said the state is ready for Pfizer’s vaccine.
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