Phase 1A and 1B Tier Reminders

Phase 1A First Tier

1. Paid and unpaid workers in hospital settings working directly with patients who are positive or at high risk for COVID-19. Such as but not limited to:
   1. Physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and other support staff (custodial staff, etc.)
   2. Additional clinical staff providing supporting laboratory, pharmacy, diagnostic and/or rehabilitation services
   3. Others having direct contact with patients or infectious materials
2. Long-term care staff working directly with vulnerable residents. Includes:
   1. Direct care providers at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and state supported living centers
   2. Physicians, nurses, personal care assistants, custodial, food service staff
3. EMS providers who engage in 9-1-1 emergency services like pre-hospital care and transport
4. Home health care workers, including hospice care, who directly interface with vulnerable and high-risk patients
5. Residents of long-term care facilities

Phase 1A Second Tier

1.  Staff in outpatient care settings who interact with symptomatic patients. Such as but not limited to:
   1. Physicians, nurses, and other support staff (custodial staff, etc.)
   2. Clinical staff providing diagnostic, laboratory, and/or rehabilitation services
   3. Non-9-1-1 transport for routine care
   4. Healthcare workers in corrections and detention facilities
2. Direct care staff in freestanding emergency medical care facilities and urgent care clinics
3. Community pharmacy staff who may provide direct services to clients, including vaccination or testing for individuals who may have COVID
4. Public health and emergency response staff directly involved in administration of COVID testing and vaccinations
5. Last responders who provide mortuary or death services to decedents with COVID-19. Includes:
   1. Embalmers and funeral home workers who have direct contact with decedents
   2. Medical examiners and other medical certifiers who have direct contact with decedents
6. School nurses who provide health care to students and teachers
   

Phase 1B Tier

• People 65 years of age and older 
• People 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to:
• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
• Solid organ transplantation
• Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a more complete list of health conditions that do or may increase the risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19, according to the latest scientific research. People with medical conditions listed there qualify for vaccination in Texas. Other conditions may increase the risk from COVID-19. Talk to your health care provider for more information.

Phase 1C Tier

• People 50 to 64 years of age

School and Licensed Child Care Personel

• Those who work in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools;
• Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff, and bus drivers)
• Those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers.

Additional information for educators and school staff is available in the Texas Education Agency (TEA) K-12 COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ.