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COVID-19 Vaccine Information from the Texas Department of State Health Services
Texas Department of State Health Services • Jan 20, 2021
What’s Next with the COVID‑19 Vaccine in Texas
“All providers that have received COVID-19 vaccine must immediately vaccinate healthcare workers, Texans over the age of 65, and people with medical conditions that put them at a greater risk of severe disease or death from COVID-19. No vaccine should be kept in reserve.”
– DSHS Commissioner John Hellerstedt, M.D.
Texas continues to receive doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, and is distributing statewide to hospitals, pharmacies, local health departments, freestanding ERs and other clinics.
Who can get the vaccine now?
Front-line healthcare workers and residents at long-term care facilities (called Phase 1A) plus people over 65 or with a chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from COVID‑19 (called Phase 1B) are currently eligible to receive the COVID‑19 vaccine.
Phase 1B recipients include:
- People 65 years of age and older
- People 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Down Syndrome
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
- Solid organ transplantation
- Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
If I’m eligible for vaccine now, how do I get one?
If you are in Phase 1A or 1B, you have two options to get the vaccine: you can get vaccinated at a large vaccine hub or a local vaccine provider.
Beginning in January, Texas established large vaccination sites or hubs around the state. The goal of these hubs is to provide more people the vaccine and a simpler way to sign up for an appointment.
Please check the COVID‑19 Vaccination Hub Providers page to find a hub near you and learn how to register. Remember, vaccine supply is still limited in Texas, even though more arrives each week.
Please note:
- Do not show up at a vaccine hub without first signing up or checking the provider’s instructions for scheduling.
- Hub providers may already have long waiting lists or may be no longer accepting appointments for the week.
- Each hub’s registration process is different, so look carefully at the hub’s registration site for details.
- Depending on the provider, you may be placed on a waiting list and/or may be contacted (phone, email, or text) when vaccines become available.
Another option is to check with a vaccine provider near you. Local vaccine providers, like pharmacies, may have vaccine available. Use the Texas COVID‑19 Vaccine Availability map to find a provider near you with vaccine available. Check the provider’s website for how to best sign up for a vaccine.
Remember:
- Do not show up at a hospital or clinic looking for vaccine.
- Instead please check their website for information about vaccine availability and/or a wait list.
- Call only if the website doesn’t answer your questions.
Thank you for your patience as Texas receives more vaccine every week.
After Phase 1, who gets the vaccine next and when?
Spring 2021 is the best estimate of when vaccine will be available for the general public, but that may change. It depends on vaccine production and how quickly other vaccines become available. The Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel (EVAP) is considering what criteria could be used for later stages of vaccine distribution.
For more information, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services website.
We are delighted to share that our Executive Director, David Cleveland, has been appointed to the prestigious board of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). David is one of 17 new members appointed for 2024 -2026, marking a significant recognition of his leadership and expertise in regional community and economic development.
Texas first responders are gearing up for a communication training that will address communications interoperability during emergencies. Coordinated by the East Texas Council of Governments and the Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Division of Emergency Management, this workshop marks a collaborative effort to bolster emergency communication systems and emphasize the importance of seamless communications in crisis situations. Over three days, from May 17th to May 19th, participants from various sectors will engage in radio communication tests, workshops on technological advancements, and discussion on the future of emergency communications. The exercise will kick off at the Tyler Junior College West Campus before transitioning to operational platforms for real-world testing. Interested participants are encouraged to register for the event at www.preparingtexas.org and search for “Regional Communications” in the main search bar to join the collective effort to enhance public safety communication across Texas and the East Texas region.
ETCOG will host a Hiring Event on Tuesday, May 14th, for part-time and PRN (as-needed) GoBus Operator positions.
ETCOG will hold its next Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, May 9, beginning at noon. The agenda will incorporate a Public Hearing to discuss and determine the Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) Program Regional Project Priority types. As part of the standard program process, each of the 24 regions in the State is encouraged to determine the regional project priority types for the program. During the Public Hearing, all stakeholders can discuss and provide input on what these CDBG Regional Project Priority types should be for the East Texas Region with the ETCOG Executive Committee. The meeting will include a public comment period. ETCOG invites anyone with input on the TxCDBG program to submit oral or written testimony in person or submit written comments directly to PublicComments@etcog.org by 11:00 a.m. on May 9, 2024. ETCOG will submit the adopted priority project types for the East Texas Region to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), which administers TxCDBG, by May 15, 2024. TDA will use these project types to score grant applications in the 2025-2026 funding cycle.
ETCOG honored regional citizens who exemplify excellence in performance, innovation, and contributions to the community at its 105th Semi-Annual Board of Directors Meeting last week at the Jeffersonian Institute in Jefferson, Texas. The meeting was led by ETCOG’s Board Chairman, Harrison County Commissioner William Hatfield, which included celebrating seven regional award winners at the ceremony.
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) announces $93,500 in grants from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) awarded to East Texas jurisdictions, special districts, and regional initiatives to support waste minimization efforts in ETCOG's fourteen-county region. This funding assists jurisdictions in establishing or expanding projects that would directly provide a measurable effect on reducing the amount of waste going into area landfills by diverting various materials from the municipal solid waste stream for beneficial use or reducing waste generation at the source. Applicants were eligible to apply for the following Municipal Solid Waste Grant Project Categories: 1) Local Enforcement, 2) Litter and Illegal Dumping Clean Up and Community Collection Events, 3) Source Reduction and Recycling, 4) Local Solid Waste Management Plans, 5) Citizens' Collection Stations and "Small" Registered Transfer Stations, 6) Household Hazardous Waste Management, 7) Technical Studies, 8) Educational and Training Projects. ETCOG annually helps jurisdictions apply for funds, which are then ranked and scored by our Solid Waste Advisory Committee. This committee is made up of local subject matter experts from the region. After the ETCOG Executive Committee approves the projects, we recommend them to TCEQ. The following grants in East Texas have been approved for funding by TCEQ. "ETCOG appreciates the efforts of many of our jurisdictions to apply for these funds, as well as the Solid Waste Advisory Committee’s commitment to making East Texas a cleaner place to live," said ETCOG's Economic Development Manager, Parker Harrison. “These essential projects led to the cleanup of hundreds of sites, almost 5,000 tires, and the collection of nearly a million pounds of solid waste last year. We look forward to seeing the results this year’s projects will bring to the region.”
The solar eclipse is fast approaching, so get ready to experience this rare event where the moon covers the sun, creating a breathtaking sight. ETCOG Regional Technology Solutions (RTS) has played an important role in enhancing your experience by determining if you are within the path of totality. The solar eclipse, marked by the alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth, resulting in the temporary obscuration of the sun's light. During this occurrence, the moon casts a shadow on Earth, offering observers a unique glimpse of the sun's corona and a twilight during daylight hours. Remarkably, half of ETCOG's 14-county region finds itself within the path of totality, positioning East Texas as a prime location for eclipse enthusiasts. This event on Monday, April 8 marks the first total eclipse visible to East Texas since 1878. To make sure you make the most of this rare occurrence, RTS has built an eclipse map that allows you to pinpoint your location within the path of totality. You can access the map to view your location by visiting go.etcog.org/2024eclipse . Beyond the eclipse map, RTS specialized in the creation of interactive solutions, ranging from customized apps to digital maps, and prints. These services are offered to city, county, and partners, showcasing ETCOG's commitment to solving local solutions and a low cost. For more local information → www.visittyler.com/solar-eclipse
The East Texas Council of Governments' rural transit system, GoBus , is proud to be a recipient of the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) annual AdWheel awards, which recognize excellence in marketing and outreach efforts by transit providers nationwide. The APTA AdWheel Awards fosters creativity and innovation within the public transportation industry, highlighting best marketing practices that contribute to the betterment of public transportation. The selection process involves evaluations by industry experts for creativity, impact, community engagement, and overall effectiveness. “I am proud of our Communications, Human Resources, and Transportation teams for collaborating effectively to address an ongoing staffing need within our agency. To receive national recognition for these efforts means a lot to me and all of us here at ETCOG!” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. ETCOG received the award in the Special Event subcategory for the Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development. The award acknowledges team effort in hosting a one-day hiring fair dedicated to GoBus Operator positions. The event featured comprehensive activities, including on-site interviews, video highlights, and bus tours, providing prospective candidates with a glimpse of transit operations and a seamless hiring process for human resources. This recognition celebrates our commitment to workforce development and highlights the success of ETCOG’s strategic marketing and communication initiatives in attracting top talent. "We are honored to receive this prestigious APTA award,” said ETCOG Communications Director Lindsay Vanderbilt.” This recognition is a reflection of the dedication and creativity of our team and the collaboration across our agency to solve transportation hiring challenges.” A member of the ETCOG communications team joined other award recipients and marketing experts to share details on their award-winning campaigns and projects at the APTA Marketing Workshop held February 12-14, 2043, in New Orleans, Louisiana. APTA is a nonprofit international association of over 1,500 public and private sector member organizations and is the only association in North America that represents all modes of public transportation, including bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services, and intercity and high-speed passenger rail.
ETCOG is excited to announce the collaboration with Carson Consulting, spearheaded by Cecile Carson, Ph.D., to develop a comprehensive Local Enforcement Environmental Crimes Toolkit. With over three decades of experience in partnering with local, state, and national organizations, Dr. Carson brings a wealth of expertise in creating litter and illegal dumping kits, training materials, and researching effective litter law enforcement practices. The primary goal of this toolkit is to equip local jurisdictions with the necessary tools and resources to empower enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, and government decision-makers. The initiative, set for completion by August 16, 2024, aims to enhance environmental enforcement, foster collaboration with relevant entities, and provide guidance in reducing environmental offenses and illegal dumping. Key features of the toolkit include: Enforcement and Prosecution Section: Offering tools and resources for effective enforcement and prosecution of environmental crimes. Building Collaboration: Providing guidance on fostering stakeholder collaboration to achieve shared environmental goals. Public Education: Equipping users with resources to educate the public on the importance of environmental protection and legal compliance. We encourage our members to anticipate the forthcoming resources. Dr. Carson will initiate outreach to local enforcement officers in the coming weeks. For those with questions or want to learn more about this project, contact our Economic Development Specialist, Lisa Smith, at 903-218-6467 or lisa.smith@etcog.org . This project is funded in part by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and approved by the ETCOG Solid Waste Advisory Committee.