DSHS expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all adults

The Texas Department of State Health Services announced Tuesday all adults will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas beginning Monday. DSHS also announced loosened visitation rules for long-term care facilities throughout the state.

The department has directed providers of the vaccine to continue to prioritize people 80 years old or older when taking appointments and also place priority when members of that group also do not have an appointment. All adults will be eligible for the vaccine starting Monday, March 29.

DSHS said vaccine providers across the state have made progress in vaccinating people in the priority groups, which are those included in the Phase 1A, 1B and 1C groups. Phase 1A eligibility includes residents of long-term care facilities and front-line healthcare workers. Phase 1B focuses on people 65 years of age and older and those with certain medical conditions. Phase 1C of vaccine eligibility, which began Monday, March 15, includes people aged 50 to 64 years of age.

For the rest of the story, see the March 27 edition of The Graham Leader.