Gov. Abbott: 4th Week of 'Save Our Seniors' Initiative Adds 25 Counties, Reaches 88 Total

"We will continue to deploy state vaccination resources across Texas to reach more seniors and get more shots in arms." 
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), and the Texas Military Department (TMD) have confirmed 25 participating counties for the fourth week of the Save Our Seniors initiative. To date, A total of 88 counties have participated in the program. 

The Governor announced the Save Our Seniors program in Corpus Christi in February to ensure more seniors are vaccinated throughout the state.

Previously, 26 counties participated in the first week, and 34 counties participated in the second week of the initiative.

Last week, 28 counties took part in the program.
TDEM and TMD will work alongside local jurisdictions to set up a central drive-through vaccine clinics in each community or administer directly to homebound seniors — these decisions will be driven by local officials as they identify vulnerable residents in their communities to participate in this program.

Counties participating in the 4th round of the program are:
 

1. Caldwell
2. Camp
3. Crockett
4. Delta
5. DeWitt
6. Duval
7. Fayette
8. Hidalgo
9. Hunt
10. Jim Hogg
11. Kimble
12. Llano
13. Lynn
14. Maverick
15. Milam
16. Montague
17. San Augustine
18. San Jacinto
19. Shelby
20. Sherman
21. Starr
22. Titus
23. Tyler
24. Val Verde, and
25. Zapata

In coordination with local and state partners, counties and cities have been selected based on recent data provided from DSHS related to the following factors:

1. The state looked at the number of approved providers serving the area;
2. The state took into account total allocations over the previous 12 weeks;
3. The state utilized data showing the least vaccinated counties for both 65+ and 75+ administered doses;
4. The state focused on allocating vaccine equitably across the state. 

Earlier today, DSHS announced that they have directed vaccine providers to prioritize people 80 years old or older when scheduling appointments and accommodate anyone in that age group who presents for vaccination, whether or not they have an appointment, by immediately moving them to the front of the line. That will ensure vaccination of anyone 80 or older with as small a burden on themselves as possible.