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Texas expects to receive more than half a million first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from the federal government this week, state health officials said on Friday.
The 520,425 doses will be shipped to 344 providers, including 82 centers, in 166 counties across the state, according to the State Department of Health Services.
Officials attributed the increase in available vaccine to a 30% increase in Moderna doses sent to the state and a “one-time return” of 126,750 doses of Pfizer vaccine that the state had to put aside for a later date. program that overestimated the number. of the necessary doses.
The doses that had been set aside for a long-term care facility program will go specifically to providers located in counties that have received “significantly” less vaccine than their share of the population, including in the suburbs. from Houston, health officials said. .
“Texas continues to immunize healthcare workers, residents of long-term care facilities, people 65 years of age and older, and people with health conditions that put them at greater risk of hospitalization and deaths from COVID-19, ”health officials said in a statement. “The vaccine remains limited due to the ability of manufacturers to produce it, so it will take time for Texas to receive enough vaccine for everyone in priority populations who want to be vaccinated.”
In addition, the state plans to order 188,225 doses to serve as a second dose for people who received their first vaccine a few weeks ago.
“DSHS is working with providers to make sure they order the number of second doses they need at the right time,” officials said. “People should be able to return to the same provider to receive their second dose.”
As of Friday, providers statewide had administered about 2.2 million doses, according to the DSHS. Over 1.75 million people had received at least one dose while over 410,000 people were considered fully vaccinated.
The limited vaccine supply has strained patience in the Houston area as older people and those with diseases that put them at higher risk have struggled to schedule appointments. Some of those who have already had a dose do not know when or where they can get their second dose.
Meanwhile, health officials across the region faced logistical challenges, including those presented by the lack of abundant vaccines, and pleaded for patience.
“Please do not come to our walk-in # COVID19 vaccination sites,” Harris County public health officials have warned. tweet friday night which included two alarm icons and “RUMOR CONTROL”.
“We cannot provide vaccines to those who come to the sites (without) registration in our system,” the tweet continued. “If you don’t have an appointment, you will be refused.”
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