The Texas Department of State Health Services held a virtual press conference Thursday morning to discuss the challenges they've faced with distributing coronavirus vaccines in Texas.
"I don't have to tell you there's still a lot of need out there and not enough vaccines for everyone that wants it," said DSHS Associate Commissioner Imelda Garcia.
The department said as of Thursday, more than two million doses have been administered in the state, and about 370,000 people are fully vaccinated.
The progress is thanks to nearly 2,400 providers that have assisted in administering the doses statewide. Among those are Bell County, McLennan County and Coryell County, which have been designated as vaccine hubs.
DSHS says the state is expecting to receive an additional 52,000 doses to its weekly shipment.
"We appreciate everyone's patience as vaccine continues to arrive across the state, and we understand that it can be frustrating at times, but the good news is that every week we get additional shipments of vaccines," Garcia said.
At this time, only people in Phase 1A and Phase 1B can receive vaccinations. There is no timeline as to when the state will transition into Phase 1C, or who is included in that next phase.
DSHS says we can expect the next step in phases to begin as soon as there is a better vaccine supply and after more people in Phase 1A and 1B are vaccinated.
The department also plans to require race and ethnicity to be submitted in order to improve on data quality, as well as expand vaccination hubs to locations closer to rural areas.
Keep in mind if your county isn't a vaccination hub, you are allowed to register in a neighboring county as long as you qualify for the vaccine.
