DSHS expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all adults

The Texas Department of State Health Services announced last week all adults will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas beginning this past Monday. DSHS also announced loosened visitation rules for longterm care facilities throughout the state.

The department has directed providers of the vaccine to continue to prioritize people 80 years old or older when taking appointments and also place priority when members of that group also do not have an appointment. All adults are eligible for the vaccine now.

DSHS said vaccine providers across the state have made progress in vaccinating people in the priority groups, which are those included in the Phase 1A, 1B and 1C groups. Phase 1A eligibility includes residents of long-term care facilities and front-line healthcare workers. Phase 1B focuses on people 65 years of age and older and those with certain medical conditions. Phase 1C of vaccine eligibility, which began Monday, March 15, includes people aged 50 to 64 years of age.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service directed states on Tuesday, March 3, to expand vaccine eligibility to include people who work in schools and childcare centers. The order states those who work in pre-primary, primary and secondary schools as well as Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff and bus drivers) are eligible. Those who work with licensed child care providers and center-based and family care providers are also eligible.

In his first prime time address, President Joe Biden announced Thursday, March 11, that he would direct states, tribes and territories to make all adults eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine no later than May 1. The White House COVID-19 Response Team stated that the accelerated vaccination efforts will make vaccination efforts far enough along by the end of April to lift eligibility restrictions for vaccinations by that May 1 date.

The state has administered 9.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, with more than 6 million people receiving at least one dose and more than 3 million being fully vaccinated.

DSHS wrote Tuesday that the organization expects the amount of vaccine supplies to increase next week. The state’s Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel made the recommendation to expand vaccination to all of those under the current Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorizations to protect as many as possible.

“We are closing in on 10 million doses administered in Texas, and we want to keep up the momentum as the vaccine supply increases,” said Imelda Garcia, DSHS associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services and the chair of the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel. “As eligibility opens up, we are asking providers to continue to prioritize people who are the most at risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death – such as older adults.”

DSHS is launching a website to allow registration for a shot through select public health providers called the Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler. The public can enroll on the website to get notified of upcoming vaccine clinics and future appointments which are from DSHS or select local health departments.

“Online registration will be the best option for most people. For those for whom that is not an option, DSHS will launch a toll-free number to provide assistance making an appointment with a participating provider or locating another provider that has vaccine available,” DSHS wrote.

Long-term care provider rule changes

Texas Health and Human Service Commission Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young released a notice last week which announced expanded in-person visits at nursing facilities and other long-term care centers statewide effective Tuesday, March 23. The release states on March 10, federal guidance was provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand the services.

Those fully vaccinated at nursing facilities are allowed close, in-person visits with family members and friends who are not designated as essential caregivers with safeguards in place preventing the spread of COVID-19. In addition to nursing facilities, HHSC expanded visitation allowed in assisted living facilities, intermediate care facilities and home and community-based service providers.

“Safely visiting with family and friends is vital to the mental health and well-being of long-term care residents,” Victoria Ford, HHS chief policy and regulatory officer, said. “We are so pleased these new rules will allow residents to enjoy in-person visits with a wider circle of loved ones.”

Nursing facilities must continue to follow all protocols to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, which includes wearing face masks. The facilities can allow close, personal contact during any visitation for fully vaccinated residents and outdoor visitation at all facilities even if the facility has an outbreak. Up to two essential caregivers at the same time can visit a resident with any COVID-19 status.

The centers can permit visitation without time limits while continuing to adhere to infection prevention and control measures. Facilities can also permit end-of-life visits for all residents regardless of their COVID-19 status in all nursing facilities. The definition for end-of-life residents now includes all residents who have received hospice services, residents at or near the end of life with or without hospice services and residents whose prognosis does not indicate recovery.

According to HHSC, Nursing facilities are also no longer required to request general visitation approval from HHSC and monitor visits or escort visitors to and from the visitation area. The facilities also no longer need to limit indoor visitation areas with a plexiglass barrier or booth and require documentation of a negative COVID-19 test result for essential caregiver or salon services visitors.