Texas intends to focus on seniors with next shipment of coronavirus vaccines

HOUSTON With thousands of doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be distributed across Texas next week, the state is asking suppliers to focus on people aged 75 and older.

“The risk really increases with age, so we just really want to focus on the older adult population, 75 and older, in addition to the other priority groups,” said Chris Van Deusen, a spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services. said. .

About one in four Texans ages over 80 have received the vaccine so far, he said.

“It does not really change the suitability, but it is a priority among the priority groups,” Van Deusen said.

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WellMed focuses on seniors. The East Alief Clinic on West Sam Houston Parkway will receive 400 doses next week.

“We do have a list and we sort the patients by age,” said Manasi Kekan, medical director. “Our staff call the patients, contact their family members and only notify them when we receive the doses.”

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She said there is a reason to focus on older patients first.

“It’s the population that really needs the vaccine,” Kekan said. “They have a very high risk.”

The Houston Department of Health also plans to prioritize people at greatest risk for serious illness during the week of February 8th. About two-thirds of the doses it receives go to the Area Agency for Aging, which works with the elderly.