No Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses coming to Travis County this week as total doses dip

More than 58,000 initial doses of the coronavirus vaccine are headed to Travis County providers during the week of March 15. This week, the Texas Department of State Health Services has allocated doses to just seven providers in the county, as compared to last week's 85. Most of those 85 providers received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but this week, the DSHS only issued allocations of the Moderna and Pfizer shots.

Austin Public Health, a regional hub provider of the vaccine, will receive 12,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine this week. Appointments will be released the evening March 15, with prioritization for individuals in Phases 1A and 1B of distribution—those who work in health care, live in long-term care facilities, are over age 65 or have certain high-risk health conditions—as well as school and child care employees.

While individuals who qualify under Phase 1C, which currently includes people over age 50, are now eligible to receive a vaccine for COVID-19 in the state of Texas, APH has yet to move into Phase 1C of distribution.

"In the coming days, APH will make modifications to our registration platform to include the 1C population," a March 15 statement from APH said.

As of March 15, 235,000 eligible people have preregistered for vaccines through APH's registration portal and are now awaiting appointments. So far, the hub provider has vaccinated more than 65,000 people.

Other Travis County providers receiving allocations this week include Ascension Seton Medical Center at 1201 W. 38th St., Austin, which will receive 11,700 doses. UT Health Austin will also receive 11,700 doses. CommUnityCare South Austin and two Lone Star Circle of Care Clinics are else set to receive small allocations of 500 doses or fewer. The rest of Travis County's 22,230 doses will go to the Texas DSHS laboratory at 100 W. 49th St., Austin, and will not be available to the public by appointment.