Texans over 50 join the prioritized groups starting Monday. The state says people between 50 and 64 accounted for 20% of COVID-related deaths since the pandemic began.
Texas health officials are expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to unvaccinated Texans who are 50 years and older, leaving out groups of essential workers who had hoped to be included.
Texans age 50-64 can receive vaccine as of March 15
Texas will continue to protect those at the greatest risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 by expanding vaccination to people 50 to 64 years of age Monday, March 15.
More than 93% of the Texas fatalities directly caused by the coronavirus have been in people 50 and older, with those ages 50 to 64 accounting for 20% of all fatalities.
By including this next most vulnerable group, Texas will continue to reduce the number of people who are hospitalized and die from the disease across all races, ethnicities and occupations.
âWeâve seen a remarkable decrease in the number of hospitalizations and deaths since people 65 and older started becoming fully vaccinated in January,â said Imelda Garcia, Department of State Health Services associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services and chair of the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel.