State Expands COVID Vaccine Eligibility to Include People 50 and Older

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – Beginning Monday, March 15, people 50 years of age or older (no other qualification required) will now be eligible to receive a vaccination. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, over 93% of Texas COVID-19 fatalities have been in people 50 and older, with 20% of fatalities among people ages 50 to 64. By including this next most vulnerable group, Texas is expected to continue reducing hospitalizations and deaths across all races, ethnicities, and occupations.

The state’s Phase 1C group announced today will vastly increase the number of Texans eligible for the coronavirus vaccine. Currently, the state allows vaccinations Phase 1A and 1B individuals including frontline health care workers and first responders, those 65 and older and Texans 16 and older with underlying health conditions, as well as school and childcare workers.

As Texas progresses into Phase 1C in the coming weeks, the state will continue to work with vaccine providers and other local partners to ensure people who are in Phase 1A, 1B, and 1C have access to the vaccine. Individual providers will have the flexibility to further prioritize vaccination within these groups.

"This is important news as the City will have the opportunity to vaccinate more of our residents in greater numbers. We will continue to prioritize our Save Our Seniors program with lifesaving results," said Mayor Paulette M. Guajardo.

The Corpus Christi – Nueces County Public Health District will continue to offer vaccinations as the vaccine becomes available.

For the latest information visit: www.cctexas.com/coronavirus and www.nuecesknows.com. You can also find updates on city social media channels Facebook @citygov and Twitter @cityofcc.