More than 800,000 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine arrive in Texas this week

More than 800,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be shipped to Texas this week, according to Texas health officials.

The Texas Department of Health Services announced the shipment Friday, saying the state allocates 656,810 doses to at least 445 providers in 178 counties.

According to health officials, there will also be 200,000 extra doses available for pharmacies and federally qualified health centers.

Below are how many vaccines the hubs in Bexar County will receive next week, according to the state health services website.

• San Antonio Metropolitan Health District Main Immunization Clinic – 10 530 doses of Pfizer vaccine for week 14.

• University’s health system – 12,870 doses of Pfizer vaccine for week 14.

• * UT Health San Antonio / Wellness 360 (adult) – 5 850 doses of Pfizer vaccine for week 14.

RELATED: How can you register for the COVID-19 vaccine in San Antonio when appointments are available?

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According to state health officials, this is the third largest award the state has received since the launch of the COVID-19 vaccines, although it is lower than the record of more than 1 million first doses delivered last week.

Smaller quantities of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be available over the next two weeks, according to state health officials, as production increases.

In addition, the federally supported vaccination sites in Arlington, Dallas and Houston will begin administering second-dose vaccines for the next three weeks.

Last week, the state announced that 50-64-year-olds would be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, starting March 15th. They are added to the residents in the category Phase 1A and Phase 1B who are eligible to receive their vaccines.

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These phases include front-line health workers and residents at long-term care facilities. Phase 1B includes people older than 65 or someone 16 years and older with a chronic medical condition who are elevated by COVID-19 for serious illnesses.

People who work in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, as well as Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff and bus drivers) and those who work as or for licensed childminders, including center providers of families and family care also come in consideration.

Visit the state health website here for more information on the state’s vaccines or for more information on the available COVID-19 vaccines.