The Texas plan for Covid vaccine distribution

 Karen Townsend:

State health officials in Texas announced Monday who will be next in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine after health care workers and long term care residents. Instead of following federal guidelines, Texans over the age of 65 and those over 16 who have chronic medical conditions will be the next group of people offered the vaccine. This decision strays from federal guidelines which recommend people over 75 and essential workers receive priority.

The second group will include about eight million Texans who will be eligible for the vaccinations. The state is offering 1.9 million Texans in health care and those who are residents in long-term facilities first, as the federal guidelines recommend. The guidelines recommend that those 75 years of age and essential workers be the next group to be offered the vaccine. As Jazz wrote about (subscription required), those essential workers include teachers and public safety employees. Texas state health officials are going with the recommendations of a 17-member Expert Vaccine Advisory Panel led by Imelda Garcia. She is the associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services for the Department of State Health Services. Dr. John Hellerstedt, the state health commissioner has the final decision on prioritization.

The decision was data-driven, according to the panel. It is to protect the most vulnerable in Texas. People who are elderly makeup more than 70% of COVID-19 cases in Texas. Adults with underlying medical conditions are more likely to develop severe cases of the virus. Garcia said, “This approach ensures that Texans at the most severe risk from COVID-19 can be protected across races and ethnicities and regardless of where they work.” The state data shows that black and Hispanic Texans are disproportionally affected by COVID-19.

Governor Abbott said that he thinks teachers should be near the front of the line. The panel of experts was heavily lobbied by leaders in major industries like airlines, ride-sharing companies, and the energy sector to be vaccinated next. No specific industries are named in the second group. Workers with chronic health conditions or who are over age 65 will qualify. It looks like that following the science will mean individual needs will come before sweeping group generalizations.
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Some of the healthcare workers have declined to take the vaccinations.  I think Texas is right to focus on the most vulnerable first.  By doing so they can substantially reduce the mortality from the virus.  I am not sure why teachers are seen as in a vulnerable class.  Student age children have been the most resistant to the disease and are not seen as spreaders.

Ultimately, I think there will be adequate supplies for all who want the vaccine.