Who is Eligible for the Vaccine?

For up to date information, please always check the Texas Department of State Health Services website

As of Monday, March 29, 2021, everyone age 16 and older is now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas.

Remember, as of now (04/04/2021), Pfizer is 16yo+ and Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are 18yo+. This might be subject to change as more data is gathered on the vaccine. There are currently trials for administering the vaccine in younger populations.

Below is Old / Archived Info on Eligibility

According to the Texas DSHS, this is what is currently listed as qualifiers under 1a and 1b:

Phase 1A: Front-line healthcare workers and residents at long-term care facilities

Phase 1B: People 65+ or people 16+ with a health condition that increases risk of severe COVID‑19 illness, including but not limited to:
Cancer
Chronic kidney disease
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Down Syndrome
Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
Organ transplantation
Obesity (BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
Pregnancy
Sickle cell disease
Type 2 diabetes

If you have a medical condition not listed above, you may still qualify for the vaccine. Talk to your provider to confirm. Note that under 1b it says including but not limited to. According to the CDC, adults of any age with the following conditions might be at an increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19:

Being a current or former cigarette smoker
Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
Cystic fibrosis
Hypertension or high blood pressure
Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
Liver disease
Overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2, but < 30 kg/m2)
Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)
Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Use your best judgement when signing up under the 1b category. You may want to get a note from your doctor verifying your condition and/or 1b eligibility just in case. For more info on the CDC's definition of underlying medical conditions that qualify for 1b, see here.

Phase 1C: People 50 to 64 years of age

TEXAS TEACHERS ARE NOW ELIGIBLE

All K-12 teachers, preschool and daycare staff, and associated workers who might not be a teacher are now eligible according to the Texas DSHS, see official notice here.

The federal directive defined the people eligible as, "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) and those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers."

As of 03/04/2021, I am only seeing the drop down option for teachers with CVS, UTSW, and the Dallas County registry - but I am sure more will adopt this very soon.