Texas Gov. Greg Abbott addresses COVID-19 vaccine, economic effects

“Infrastructure means more than just roads and stuff like that. Critical infrastructure also means medicine and health care,” Abbott said. “We can no longer farm out to other countries ... to deliver the critical health care infrastructure that we need.”

The good news, Abbott said, is that Texas is now in a position to be better prepared for a future pandemic.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the first phase of the vaccine rollout will prioritize hospital staff who directly interact with COVID-19 patients, including doctors, nurses, custodial staffers and other staff members who provide diagnostic or laboratory services. It also includes emergency services and those who are in or work with people in high-risk populations, such as hospice care workers.

Next in priority are outpatient health care workers, including school nurses and urgent care staff, and last responders, such as medical examiners and funeral home workers.

The distribution plan was created by Texas’ Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel, EVAP, which makes recommendations to State Commissioner of Health John Hellerstedt. The work is ongoing, and EVAP will continue to recommend how and when to distribute the vaccine to those most at risk.

“This, candidly, is not rocket science,” Abbott said. “This is the type of mathematical probability that a high school student could learn. You want to get the biggest bang for your buck when you provide these vaccines.”

Vaccines first arrived in Texas hospitals Dec. 14, and hundreds have already received their first doses.

"I do expect to see very promising results on a daily basis going forward," he said. "And that means very promising results with regard to getting back to business in the state of Texas."