In a statement released by his office, Abbott and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) said that the process will serve as a foundation for the initial distribution of Covid-19 vaccines throughout the state.
Allocations will be based on criteria that includes protecting health care workers, frontline workers and vulnerable populations, according to the release. Criteria for the vaccine also include mitigation of health inequalities and geographic diversity.
The recommendations by the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel (EVAP) and approved by the DSHS Commissioner of Health will give health care workers and other vulnerable residents the first round of the vaccine.
Recommendations will also be made by the EVAP on when and how to roll out the vaccine to other groups.
"These guiding principles established by the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel will ensure that the State of Texas swiftly distributes the COVID-19 vaccine to Texans who voluntarily choose to be immunized," Abbott said in the release.
"This foundation for the allocation process will help us mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, protect the most vulnerable Texans, and safeguard crucial state resources," he continued.