Abbott says Texas to receive 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine
Texas will receive an initial allotment of more than 1.4 million doses of coronavirus vaccines for December, according to the governor’s office.
The allotments, made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are expected to start arriving in the state the week of Dec. 14. More may come later in the month and in January, a news release reads.
“The State of Texas is already prepared for the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine, and will swiftly distribute these vaccines to Texans who voluntarily choose to be immunized,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. “As we await the first shipment of these vaccines, we will work with communities to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”
It’s unclear how many of the doses will be distributed to Tarrant County.
Department of State Health Services Spokesperson Chris Van Deusen in an email said decisions on how to allocate the vaccines are in the works. More details are expected in the coming days, he said.
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be distributed to the state, as long as they are authorized by the FDA as expected, Van Deusen said
Both of the vaccines require two doses. Pfizer’s booster shot is administered three weeks after the initial shot, and Moderna’s is given four weeks later.
The December allotment will be used to give the first dose to more than 1.4 million people, Van Deusen said. More vaccines are expected in January that will be allocated for second vaccination rounds and more initial vaccinations, he said.
First-responders and high-risk groups are expected to be at the front of the line for vaccinations. A plan from Abbott’s offices states vaccines will be allocated based on protecting health care workers, front line workers and vulnerable populations.
Fort Worth ISD has asked Abbott to include teachers in the vaccine’s initial distribution.
This story was originally published December 2, 2020 at 3:31 PM.
