Texans 50 or older will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine starting next week.
So far, Texas has put a priority on health care workers, at-risk individuals, residents 65 or older and school and child care workers to receive the vaccine. But on Wednesday, March 10, the Texas Department of Health announced that the age range will expand from 65 to 50 starting on Monday, March 15.
“We’ve seen a remarkable decrease in the number of hospitalizations and deaths since people 65 and older started becoming fully vaccinated in January,” says Imelda Garcia, associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services in a statement. “Expanding to ages 50 to 64 will continue the state’s priorities of protecting those at the greatest risk of severe outcomes and preserving the state’s health care system.”
More than 3 million Texans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine so far, according to the governor's office. To sign up for the waiting list to get vaccinated, visit TarrantCounty.com/COVIDVaccine.