As tasked by the Governor following the initial allotment of COVID-19 vaccines, the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel recommended an allocation strategy in line with its guiding principles and health care workers definition that was approved by DSHS Commissioner John Hellerstedt, MD. The initial vaccine allocation guiding principals are based upon protecting: health care workers caring for COVID-19 patients, front-line workers, and vulnerable populations. Additionally, allocations were based upon considering geographic diversity and scientific evidence and epidemiology at the time.
Allocations have been separated into phases, and Phase 1A is currently two-tiered. The upcoming allocation falls under the first tier of Phase 1A.
First Tier
- Hospital staff working directly with patients who are positive or at high risk for COVID-19
- Long-term care staff working directly with vulnerable residents
- 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/high-risk patients
- Residents of long-term care facilities
Second Tier
- Staff in outpatient care offices who interact with symptomatic patients
- Direct care staff in freestanding emergency medical care facilities and urgent care clinics
- Community pharmacy staff who may provide direct services to clients
- 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
- School nurses who provide health care to students and teachers
DSHS has submitted the first version of the Texas COVID-19 Vaccination Plan to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The plan provides a framework for the allocation and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine in Texas. The CDC has not yet approved the plan, and it will be updated based on CDC feedback and as additional information about vaccine development and availability is received.
In the vaccination plan, DSHS covers multiple aspects of the planning process and specifics in various categories, including:
- Utilizing internal vaccine planning and coordination personnel, collaborating with key agencies like TDEM, utilizing public/private partnerships, and collaborating with regional and local governments to organize the vaccination effort
- Administering vaccinations in phases to account for initial limited supply, beginning with health care personnel likely to be exposed, those at increased risk for severe illness, and other vulnerable frontline workers
- Registering interested providers capable of storing and administering vaccines as well as holding a webinar for interested providers on how to enroll and order COVID-19 vaccine
- Highlighting the role of the Expert Vaccination Allocation Panel is providing guidance on vaccine allocation and options for vaccine allocation and ordering systems
- Appropriate storage and handling techniques, reporting requirements, documentation, and second dose reminders
- Future implementation of a statewide integrated communications/outreach/engagement plan
- Vaccine safety monitoring
The EVAP vaccine allocation guidelines were discussed in the Senate Health and Human Services hearing on Monday, December 7. For more details, see the HillCo report at the bottom of this advisory.