Texas DSHS Announces New COVID-19 Vaccination Group

Texas Department of State Health Services • March 11, 2021

Because the U.S. supply of COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be limited at first, CDC is providing recommendations to federal, state, and local governments about who should be vaccinated first. CDC’s recommendations are based on those from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an independent panel of medical and public health experts.


The recommendations were made with these goals in mind:

  • Decrease death and serious disease as much as possible.
  • Preserve functioning of society.
  • Reduce the extra burden COVID-19 is having on people already facing disparities.


While CDC makes recommendations for who should be offered COVID-19 vaccine first, each state has its own plan for deciding who will be vaccinated first and how they can receive vaccines. Please contact your local health department for more information on COVID-19 vaccination in your area.


The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) continues to receive doses of the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines, and is distributing statewide to hospitals, pharmacies, local health departments, freestanding ERs, and other clinics.


Spring 2021 is the best estimate of when vaccine will be available for the general public, but that may change. It depends on vaccine production and how quickly other vaccines become available.


Phase 1A

  • Direct care - Hospital, long-term care, EMS, 9-1-1-, home health, outpatient, ER/urgent care, pharmacies, last responders, school nurses
  • Long-term care residents and facilities


Phase 1B

  • Persons 65+ or 16+ with at least one chronic medical condition, including pregnancy


With the federal directive, the following education and child care personnel are now eligible to be vaccinated in Texas:

  • Those who work in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools;
  • Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff, and bus drivers); and
  • Those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers.


Additional information for educators and school staff is available in the Texas Education Agency (TEA) K-12 COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ.


Beginning March 15, persons age 50-64 will be eligible to receive the vaccine under Phase 1C.

Criminal Justice Grant Funding Available for East Texas Public Safety Projects

By East Texas Council of Governments • December 15, 2025
Mandatory Workshops Scheduled for Applicants

$3.1M in Criminal Justice Grants to Improve Public Safety and Support Victims of Crime Approved for East Texas

By ETCOG Public Safety • November 21, 2025
ETCOG announces that $3.1 million in grants from the Office of the Governor's (OOG) Public Safety Office have been awarded to East Texas jurisdictions and nonprofit organizations. These funds are aimed at enhancing public safety and supporting victims of crime. The program’s mission is to strengthen Texas communities by supporting initiatives that help victims recover and feel secure while also preventing crime through programs that: Prevent juvenile delinquency and support truancy prevention Provide services to victims of crime and address violence against women Support law enforcement and improve the criminal justice system Prevent child sex trafficking, bring justice to its perpetrators, and restore victims ETCOG's Public Safety Division assists jurisdictions in applying for these funds annually, and applications submitted for funding are ranked and scored by the ETCOG Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, which is comprised of local subject-matter experts from across the region. The following Victims of Crime Act, Justice Assistance, Violence Against Women Act, and Juvenile Assistance grants totaling $3,136,019.36 have been approved by the OOG for funding in East Texas:  Victims of Crime Act Funds - $2,528,962.18 The Crime Victims Assistance Grant Program (VOCA) devotes resources to providing direct services to victims of crime to help them recover and navigate the justice system.
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