COVID-19 VACCINE STATUS
January 2021 • DALLAS MEDICAL JOURNAL 9
• May 25, 2020 – Memorial Day
weekend noted marked relaxation of
adherence to infection control measures
coinciding with state reopening of services.
• June 26, 2020 and
July 2, 2020 – Given the recognition
that Texas could see catastrophic
consequences if the state had a weekend
like that experienced over Memorial Day
and the Fourth of July weekend, Governor
Abbott issued orders GA-26 and GA-29,
which closed bars, scaled back previous
openings, and required use of face
coverings.
• Mid-July to early September –
Significant decreases seen in numbers of
new cases, hospital admission/census
numbers, and other indicators.
• September 2, 2020 – Dallas County
moved from Red (“Stay Home, Stay Safe”)
to Orange (“Extreme Caution”) COVID-19
Transmission Risk Level, reflecting 14 days
of improvement in the hospital and other
indicators.
• Early to mid-September – Began to
see slowing in the decline and a plateauing
in the number of hospitalizations. Many
area colleges began returning, and local
school openings were also beginning.
• October 14, 2020 – Dallas County
moved back to Red Risk Threat Level after
seeing significant increases in new cases,
hospital admission/census numbers and,
other indicators.
Texas Guiding Principles for
Vaccine Distribution Are:
• Protecting healthcare workers who fill
a critical role in caring for and preserving
the lives of COVID-19 patients and
maintaining the healthcare infrastructure
for all who need it.
• Protecting front-line workers who
are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19
due to the nature of their work providing
critical services and preserving the
economy.
• Protecting vulnerable populations
who are at greater risk of severe disease
and death if they contract COVID-19.
• Mitigating health inequities due to
factors such as demographics, poverty,
insurance status, and geography.
• Data-driven allocations using the
best available scientific evidence and
epidemiology at the time, allowing for
flexibility for local conditions.
• Geographic diversity through a
balanced approach that considers access
in urban and rural communities and in
affected ZIP codes.
• Transparency through sharing
allocations with the public and seeking
public feedback.
It should be noted that all information at
this time remains subject to change, but
current projected timelines from the Texas
Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
for how vaccine delivery will play out:
PHASE 0
October 2020–November 2020
• Provider recruitment and registration into
ImmTrac2, a new web-based portal.
PHASE 1
December 2020–January 2021
(Limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine doses
available.)
• Vaccines will be direct-shipped to registered
providers serving healthcare workers
and other select populations based upon
the DSHS commissioner’s approval in accordance
with CDC/ACIP recommendations.
• Occupational healthcare settings will
be the primary administrators of vaccines.
• Some large chains enrolled directly
by the CDC to serve some targeted
populations (long-term care facilities).
• Continue ongoing provider recruitment
and registration to ensure access to
vaccination.
PHASE 2
February 2021–July 2021
(Increased number of vaccine doses
available.)
• Emphasis on ensuring access to
vaccine for members of Phase 1 critical
populations who were not yet vaccinated
as well as for the additional populations;
expand provider network.
• Texas will use specialized vaccine
teams, as needed, to vaccinate identified
critical groups lacking access to the
vaccine (e.g., rural communities).
PHASE 3
July 2021–October 2021
(Sufficient supply of vaccine doses for
entire population.)
• DSHS will focus on ensuring equitable
vaccination access across the entire
population. Monitor vaccine uptake and
coverage; reassess strategy to increase
uptake in populations or communities with
low coverage.
• DSHS may consider extending the use
of vaccine teams depending on the uptake
and coverage received thus far, especially
to ensure second doses are administered
from the end of Phase 2.
PHASE 4
October 2021 and forward
(Sufficient supply of vaccine with a
decreased need due to most of the
population being vaccinated already.)
• May include boosters or annual
vaccines, if required.
• Vaccine availability open throughout
private providers. Population able to visit
provider of choice.
Current detailed definitions for
Phase 1A Recipients, broken
down into Tiers 1 and 2 are:
PHASE 1A
Healthcare Workers Definition
(Tier 1)
1. Hospital staff working directly with
patients who are positive or at high risk for
PHASE III
Vaccine
Candidates
TECHNOLOGY
PLATFORM
STORAGE &
HANDLING
DOSE
Intramuscular
injection
Pfizer m-RNA
Ultra-low Frozen:
6 months
Refrigerated: 5 days
2
(0, 21 days)
Moderna m-RNA
Frozen: 6 months
Refrigerated:
30 days
2
(0, 28 days)
Astra
Zeneca
Viral Vector
(Nonreplicating)
Refrigerated:
6 months
2
(0, 28 days)
Janssen Viral Vector
(Nonreplicating)
Refrigerated:
6 months 1