All Texans age 50 to 65 are now eligible for the vaccine

Sierra Martin

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announced that vaccines will be available for all Texas residents 50-65 years in age starting Monday, March 15.

According to DSHS, 93% of Texas fatalities directly caused by COVID-19 are in people 50 years old and older. By expanding vaccinations to Phase 1C which includes those who are at least 50 years old, the next most vulnerable group can be protected.

Texas is receiving more than 800,000 vaccines this week, less than the over one million received last week. Over 7.4 million first doses have been administered, about 8.5% of the state’s population, has been fully vaccinated.

A list of COVID vaccines being allocated throughout the state, as well as the number of doses each location is receiving for the week of March 15, can be found here.

The City of Austin and Travis County published a statement from Austin Public Health regarding Phase 1C of vaccine distribution.

“Austin Public Health is going to continue to prioritize individuals who are in Phase 1A or 1B after learning that we have not received an increased vaccine allocation for next week from the state. Once we have additional vaccines, we will consider expanding eligibility in our system to Phase 1C.”
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Hays County Judge and Director of Emergency Management Ruben Becerra gave a county update on vaccines and his response to the mask mandate on Facebook Live on March 12 at 1 p.m.

Becerra reminded people to remove themselves from the pre-registration list after receiving a vaccine by visiting Haysinformed.com. According to Becerra, some people aren’t showing up for vaccine appointments due to not removing themselves from the pre-registration list.

Becerra said Hays County hasn’t wasted any vaccines, but according to a table published by DSHS titled, there have been other providers in Hays County that have wasted nine vaccines as of March 12.

The latest information for vaccines in Texas can be found on the DSHS website. Dshs.texas.gov provides information on vaccination hubs, who is eligible for a vaccine, and where to schedule an appointment.

For specific information about receiving a vaccine as a Hays County resident, you can visit the Hays County website.
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