FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
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Carrie Williams
Chief Communications Officer
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(AUSTIN, Texas – Nov. 23, 2020) – The Texas Hospital Association issued the following statement endorsing today’s announcement of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan from Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The speed, thought and teamwork that went into the state’s vaccine plan is tremendous, and we’re grateful to see top billing for health care workers as they press on every day under the weight of this deadly disease. Protecting health care workers is an important step to ensuring a healthy workforce able to treat those who become acutely ill.
With a solid plan, an imminent vaccine and better treatment protocols, we can start to see a light at the end of the tunnel. We are confident in the state’s plan that puts hospital staff – including physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and other clinical and support staff – working with high-risk patients in the first tier for vaccine allocation.
As an ad hoc member of the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel, the Texas Hospital Association applauds the work of the group and continues to push for the resources that hospital workers need to protect themselves and their families while they work on the frontlines. Texas continues to flex resources and trigger additional staffing so people get the care they need, but public prevention must stay strong.
Until we see a vaccine come through, our chief focus is prevention fatigue and reminding the public of their role in staying safe. Wearing masks, socially distancing and avoiding large gatherings are key steps to fighting disease spread. With hospitalizations climbing above 8,000 and cases continuing to surge, Texas hospitals are on high alert for additional hotspots as we head into the holiday season.
On behalf of nearly 500 Texas hospitals and their employees, THA urges the public to strictly heed all precautions and stay vigilant so that hospitals can remain ready and able to provide help to those who need it most.
About THA
Founded in 1930, the Texas Hospital Association is the leadership organization and principal advocate for the state’s hospitals and health care systems. Based in Austin, THA enhances its members’ abilities to improve accessibility, quality and cost-effectiveness of health care for all Texans. One of the largest hospital associations in the country, THA represents 452 of the state’s non-federal general and specialty hospitals and health care systems, which employ some 400,000 health care professionals statewide. Learn more about THA at www.tha.org or follow THA on Twitter at https://twitter.com/texashospitals.