HOUSTON: Texas is becoming the largest state to expand coronavirus vaccine eligibility to all adults, more than a month before President Joe Biden's target of making the shots available to anyone who wants one by May 1. All adults in the US state of Texas will be eligible to receive a Covid-19 vaccine beginning March 29, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) said.

The announcement by state health officials on March 23 adds Texas to the rapidly growing list of states that are making the vaccine available to all adults. The drastic expansion for the state's nearly 30 million residents will begin Monday.

The department has said that vaccine supplies are expected to increase next week, and providers in multiple parts of the state have made great progress in vaccinating people in the current priority groups. Therefore, the state's Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel recommended opening vaccination to everyone who falls under the current Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorizations to protect as many people as possible, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We are closing in on 10 million doses administered in Texas, and we want to keep up the momentum as the vaccine supply increases," said Imelda Garcia, chair of the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel.

"As eligibility opens up, we are asking providers to continue to prioritize people who are the most at risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death -- such as older adults," Garcia said.

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