COVID-19 Vaccination Opened to All Adults on March 29
As of Monday, March 29, 2021, everyone age 16 and older is now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas.
The state’s Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel recommended opening vaccination to everyone who falls under the current Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorizations. All vaccines are authorized for people age 18 and older. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for people 16 and older.
DSHS has directed vaccine providers to continue to prioritize people 80 years old or older when scheduling appointments and accommodate anyone in that age group who presents for vaccination, whether or not they have an appointment, by immediately moving them to the front of the line. That will ensure vaccination of anyone 80 or older with as small a burden on themselves as possible.
Ordering and Administering Second Doses
DSHS encourages vaccination providers to review the detailed instructions on ordering and administering second doses in the Provider FAQs > Vaccine Second Doses section. Key points include:
- As of February 22, second doses will be automatically shipped. The number of doses shipped will be the same amount of first doses previously shipped. If additional second doses are required because you were able to extract additional doses, you can see if any local providers can transfer doses or refer your patients to the closest hub site. See the COVID-19 Vaccination Hub Providers page for a list of all hub sites.
- Vaccine packing dosage will not be labeled. See the allocation alert email from noreply@salesforce.com to determine if the shipment is the first or second dose.
- Providers should be able to access a patient’s information, including where and when they received the first dose, in Immtrac.
- Providers must prioritize second dose administration for second dose allocations but should try to administer any remaining doses to any qualified individual.
Texas Organizes Large Vaccination Hubs
Beginning in January, Texas established large vaccination sites or hubs around the state. The goal of these hubs is to provide more people the vaccine and a simpler way to sign up for an appointment. Phase 1A and 1B individuals are eligible to receive a vaccine at these hubs, regardless of where they reside. Additional vaccine will be distributed to smaller providers in other parts of the state.
More information:
COVID-19 Vaccination Hub Providers
Texas to Provide COVID-19 Vaccine for Large Vaccination Hubs (released 1/07/2021)
Provider Enrollment
To enroll as a COVID‑19 vaccination provider, professionals and facilities must register at EnrollTexasIZ.dshs.texas.gov. To review all provider requirements and for more information, see the Vaccination Provider Enrollment page on the DSHS Immunizations website.
Tips & Tricks for Enrolling for COVID‑19 Vaccine Program (PDF)
Provider Enrollment Info
Vaccine Management Resources
This section contains information, training and resources for COVID‑19 Vaccination Providers and local health entities related to COVID‑19 vaccine ordering, storage, distribution, administration, and reporting.
Vaccine Management
Long-Term Care Facilities
COVID-19 Vaccination-Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program
CDC is partnering with CVS and Walgreens to offer on-site COVID-19 vaccination services for residents of nursing homes and assisted living long term care facilities (LTCF) once vaccination is available and recommended for them. To find out how to participate and for more information, LTCFs should see the COVID-19 Vaccination-Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program (PDF).
COVID‑19 Vaccination Training Programs for Healthcare Professionals
The Public Health Foundation, working with the CDC, has compiled a list of CDC’s current vaccine storage, handling and administration trainings, along with trainings on communicating on communicating with patients about vaccines. It will be updated as additional trainings related to COVID‑19 become available.
Vaccination Training Train.org
More Information