Eligible Populations
As of Monday, May 12, 2021, everyone age 12 and older is now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas. To learn more about each of the populations, expand the summaries below.
Eligible Population | Ages 16 and older
As of Monday, May 12, 2021, everyone age 12 and older is now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas. This comes from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
DSHS has directed vaccine providers 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.
Past Phases
Eligible Population | Phase 1A
Below is a description of the Phase 1A population, as described by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
First Tier
- Paid and unpaid workers in hospital settings working directly with patients who are positive or at high risk for COVID-19. Such as but not limited to:
- Physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and other support staff (custodial staff, etc.)
- Additional clinical staff providing supporting laboratory, pharmacy, diagnostic and/or rehabilitation services
- Others having direct contact with patients or infectious materials
- Long-term care staff working directly with vulnerable residents. Includes:
- Direct care providers at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and state supported living centers
- Physicians, nurses, personal care assistants, custodial, food service staff
- EMS providers who engage in 9-1-1 emergency services like pre-hospital care and transport
- Home health care workers, including hospice care, who directly interface with vulnerable and high-risk patients
- Residents of long-term care facilities
Second Tier
- Staff in outpatient care settings who interact with symptomatic patients. Such as but not limited to:
- Physicians, nurses, and other support staff (custodial staff, etc.)
- Clinical staff providing diagnostic, laboratory, and/or rehabilitation services
- Non 9-1-1 transport for routine care
- Healthcare workers in corrections and detention facilities
- Direct care staff in freestanding emergency medical care facilities and urgent care clinics
- Community pharmacy staff who may provide direct services to clients, including vaccination or testing for individuals who may have COVID
- Public health and emergency response staff directly involved in administration of COVID testing and vaccinations
- Last responders who provide mortuary or death services to decedents with COVID-19. Includes:
- Embalmers and funeral home workers who have direct contact with decedents
- Medical examiners and other medical certifiers who have direct contact with decedents
- School nurses who provide health care to students and teachers
Eligible Population | Phase 1B
Below is a description of the Phase 1B population, as described by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- People 65 years of age and older
- People 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
- Solid organ transplantation
- Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Eligible Population | Phase 1C
Below is a description of the Phase 1C population, as described by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- People 50 to 64 years of age
Eligible Population | School & Childcare Personnel
Below is a description of the School & Childcare personnel outlined in a federal directive, as described by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
With the federal directive, the following education and child care personnel are now eligible to be vaccinated in Texas:
- Those who work in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools;
- Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff, and bus drivers); and
- Those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers.
Vaccine Providers
The tool below is a resource designed to help you find a vaccine provider in your county that has recently reported having availability. To learn more about whether or not you are currently eligible, please read the “Eligible Populations” section above. Enter a zip code, city, county, or complete address to see the latest data on providers in your county.
Photography Credit
Photo by Ted Eytan on Flickr