Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine is ready to be administered in the Houston area with a new group priority

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – More Texans have the opportunity to receive treatment after the last shipment of COVID-19 vaccines arrived at Houston’s Hermann Memorial Hospital on Wednesday.

The arrival of the Modern vaccine means that health workers at Memorial Hermann can transition to Phase 1B of the Texas Vaccine Allocation Guidelines, allowing them to treat more people who were not a priority during Phase 1A. The hospital is scheduled to transition to this phase next week.

SEE ALSO: 1st dose of Moderna vaccine scheduled to arrive at UMMC Houston today

Phase 1A focuses mainly on healthcare professionals and those on the front lines. Now, other populations, such as first responders, community pharmacists and school nurses, will be able to schedule their appointments.

For Phase 1B, the priority will extend to anyone over 65 and anyone over 16 who suffers from at least one chronic medical condition.

SEE ALSO: Texas will prioritize 65 years or older for the next round of vaccines

According to data from the Texas death certificate, more than 70% of deaths related to COVID-19 were people aged 65 and over.

Memorial Hermann said that since the new phase will allow the vaccine to be distributed to a wider range of people, they hope it will begin to protect a series of critical populations that are at an increased risk of contracting the virus due to its profession.

SEE ALSO: 8 million Texans fall into the next vaccination group COVID-19