Once one or more COVID-19 vaccines are authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, vaccine will be in limited supply as production ramps up. During this period, Texas will receive regular allotments of vaccine from the federal government. Vaccine will be shipped directly to enrolled COVID-19 vaccine providers as allocated by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Those providers will then immunize Texans who choose to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

So that the vaccine can be deployed as effectively as possible, DSHS has created an Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel (EVAP) to make recommendations on vaccine allocation decisions, including identifying groups that should be vaccinated first to provide the most protection to vulnerable populations and critical state resources. The panel has recommended and the Commissioner of Health John Hellerstedt, MD, has approved the following guiding principles that provide the foundation for the Texas vaccine allocation process. [Click the Button Below for more information.]

EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION
The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine has not been approved or licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but has been authorized for emergency use by FDA, under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for use in individuals 18 years of age and older. There is no FDA-approved vaccine to prevent COVID-19.

The EUA for the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 EUA declaration justifying emergency use of the vaccine, unless terminated or revoked (after which the vaccine may no longer be used). [Click the Button Below for more information.]

WHAT IS V-SAFE?
V-safe is a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Through v-safe, you can quickly tell CDC if you have any side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Depending on your answers, someone from CDC may call to check on you. And v-safe will remind you to get your second COVID-19 vaccine dose if you need one.

Your participation in CDC’s v-safe makes a difference — it helps keep COVID-19 vaccines safe. [Click the Button Below for more information.]