COVID-19 VACCINE LOCAL

IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE

Travis County Commissioner’s Court

January 5, 2021

Stephanie Y. Hayden, LMSW

Austin Public Health Director
COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
January 5, 2021

Situational Updates

Texas Vaccine Allocation Data by

County available at:

• EUA approved • EUA approved • Clinical trials ongoing https://dshs.texas.gov/coronaviru

• Vaccine distributed • Vaccine Distributed • Expected EUA s/immunize/vaccine.aspx
application late
January 2021

• Texas allocation to date: 789,925 doses

• Travis County allocation to date: 42,000 to 59 provider locations PROVIDER ENROLLMENT UPDATE

• DSHS has designated front-line health care workers, residents of

long-term care facilities are the first groups to be vaccinated and
recently added those over 65 and 16 and over with at least one • Region 7: N=1011
chronic medical condition as eligible for current vaccine phase • Travis County: N=359
• The DSHS Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel will make
recommendations about subsequent groups
Vaccine Distribution Considerations
Distribution Channels
Provider Requirements
• Must be approved by the state
• Must follow requirements and
recommendations
• Must comply with CDC requirements
for cold chain storage and
management
• Must report dose usage within 24
hours to ImmTrac2 the state’s system
• Must account for doses administered,
wasted, lost, expired, etc.
• Must report adverse events
Provider Registration
• Providers to register using the state’s
portal
• This registration process will enroll
providers into ImmTrac2 and the new
state of Texas Vaccine Administration
Management System (VAMS)
• Supplemental information may be
required to be submitted to VAMS to
obtain the list of provider employees
• Enrollment with Department of State Health
Services
• https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/i
mmunize/vaccination-providers.aspx.
Addressing Equity Gaps in Vaccine Administration

As more vaccine becomes available the following will guide APH prioritization for those who
do not have access to a vaccine provider.

• Equity lens
• Focus on populations most disproportionately affected by severe disease and death
• Populations of color
• Those living in poverty
• Those living in areas where disease transmission is highest
• Those without transportation access

• Establish vaccine clinics to facilitate easier access for all populations in Travis County.
• Large scale distribute site
• Multiple smaller vaccine provider locations in areas with limited access to a healthcare
provider

• Coordinate vaccine administration with other safety net providers to maximize efforts.
Community Vaccination Strategy
Goal: Maximize the Health of the Community through Vaccination

A B
Secure the Health Infrastructure Prevent Severe Disease and Death

n~40,000 n~205,000
Protecting those who protect us from the Eliminating disease in those over 50 and
disease and for whom we have the least in those with high-risk conditions
Eliminating disease eliminates most COVID-19 related deaths
redundancy
by focusing on the in our community
hardest hit –
communities of
Protecting our essential workers gets our color, low income, Preventing community transmission
economy working again and our kids back reduces severe disease and death in our
and older adults
to school community and reduces the burden on
n~Unknown our health system
n~916,000

Protect our Essential Workers Prevent Community Transmission

C D
Vaccine Coalition

Purpose: Austin Public Health, the local health care system, and community
partners have established a coalition to plan for COVID-19 vaccine distribution
within Austin and Travis County. The coalition is developing strategies to reach the
desired level of COVID-19 vaccination coverage through a phased approach.

Focus Areas

• Identifying Priority Populations

• Distribution Channels
• Vaccine Management
• Community Messaging/Engagement

Meeting participation exceeds 100 individuals and organizations

© 2020 • Austin Public Health • All Rights Reserved 6
Capital Area COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy

Plan Purpose Plan Organization

• To provide an externally facing document that
outlines the vaccination strategy for COVID-19
• To present how APH plans to meet community
vaccination needs
• To be transparent about the resources,
processes, and partnerships available to
support a comprehensive community
vaccination strategy
• Supports the structure developed by the CDC
and used by state and local health departments
nationwide
• Incorporates ongoing feedback from this
Vaccine Coalition
• Addresses phased allocation, critical
population allocation, and general population
allocation

• To highlight decision-making entities for • Describes outreach, engagement, and

vaccine allocation and distribution communication strategies

Document has been shared with the coalition for review and comment.
Plan is being translated into Spanish for release to the entire community for review and comment.
City of Austin Vaccine Provider Activities

Public Safety Wellness received 1300 doses

• Focused on 1a EMS and AFD qualifying staff
• Focused on 1b APD qualifying staff

APH received 1300 doses

• Focused on 1a direct health care staff, COVID-19 response staff, Travis County Jail
clinical staff, LTCF staff not enrolled with a vaccine provider, hospice and home
healthcare staff, and school nurses

• Remaining doses will be distributed this week

• LTCF residents not connected to a vaccine provider
• Remaining 1a direct health care staff that could not access the POD
APH Closed Vaccine Clinic Summary
Community Preparations for Phase 3 Vaccination

Goal: Everyone who wants a vaccine has access to a vaccine provider

There are many, many things to be done between now
• Open preregistration portal
• Increase and encourage provider enrollment
• Identify reasons for vaccine hesitancy
• Engage with hard-to-reach populations
• Engage with the broader community
• Develop and broadcast messages to address vaccine hesitancy
• Seek feedback and consultation with the community
• Keep the community informed about vaccine arrival status
• Conduct community outreach to encourage vaccine uptake