Local nonprofits, health departments and other organizations soon will be able to apply for state grants to aid COVID-19 vaccination outreach efforts amid declining vaccine demand across the state.
State health officials earmarked $10 million for the grants, Texas Department of State Health Services spokesman Chris Van Deusen said, coming on the heels of a $1.5 million TV and radio ad buy to encourage vaccinations. The state health agency also launched 22 pop-up events in Walmart parking lots, featuring videos of doctors explaining why the vaccine is safe and effective. At the end of the day, putting those dollars out into community-based organizations that already have those trusted relationships in the community is really important, Imelda Garcia, associate commissioner of laboratory and infectious disease services, told the American-Statesman.
This is a big step in vaccine distribution, Imelda Garcia, DSHS associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services, said. The ability to ship vaccine to pharmacies, doctors offices, and other providers as they need it will go a long way to making sure it is available when and where Texans want to be vaccinated.
Vaccine is widely available at hundreds of locations across Texas, many with no waiting and no appointment needed.
DSHS said convenience will be key to getting the next group of Texans vaccinated, and the department is working with existing providers, employers, and community organizations to make vaccination as easy as possible.
A vial of the COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer BioNTech provided to healthcare workers at Dell Medical School on Dec. 15, 2020. (Gabriel C. Pérez/KUT News)
As supply of COVID-19 vaccines continues to exceed demand, Texas is shifting how it distributes doses to providers.
So far, the Texas Department of State Health Services has been allocating a certain number of vaccines to providers on a weekly basis. Now, providers can place vaccine orders as needed, and the department will fill them as they come in.
“This is a big step in vaccine distribution,” Imelda Garcia, DSHS associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services, said in a press release. “The ability to ship vaccine to pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and other providers as they need it will go a long way to making sure it is available when and where Texans want to be vaccinated.”
As Texas shifts vaccine strategy, fixing data errors is key
Cayla Harris and Jordan Rubio, Hearst Newspapers
April 26, 2021
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Lisa Stork, Curative registered nurse, takes a COVID-19 vaccination out of box at a drive-through vaccination location on Thursday, April 1 in Larkspur, Calif.Lea Suzuki /The Chronicle
As the mad rush for COVID-19 vaccines wanes, Texas is shifting its distribution strategy to focus on smaller providers, setting up a crucial test for the state as it attempts not only to get shots in people’s arms but to track that information accurately.
Over the past five months, Texas health officials have focused on sending vaccines to mass vaccination sites, pharmacy chains, hospitals and local health departments providers that administer thousands of doses a week. The state also launched a mammoth data collection effort.