TEXAS — Everyone 16 years old and up now qualifies to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas, and the state has set up a portal that connects people with appointments.

Still, actually getting an appointment remains a challenge in some parts of the state. Slots fill up quickly, and for many it has become a waiting game.

The situation could improve this coming week when Texas receives more than 2.5 million vaccine doses for providers located across the state.

According to the Department of State Health Services, 1,094,920 first doses will go to providers in 200 counties, which represents the largest number of doses and providers to date.

At total of 626,290 second doses are earmarked for Texans vaccinated a few weeks ago.

The department says that so far more than 11.8 million vaccine doses have been administered in Texas, an increase of 1.8 million in the last week alone. Nearly 7.8 million Texans have received at least one dose and more than 4.3 million are fully vaccinated. Texas is home to nearly 30 million people.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week updated its guidance to say that those Americans who are fully vaccinated can safely travel throughout the country without need for testing or post-travel quarantine.

Still, DSHS says, hundreds of variant virus cases have been detected in the state with the potential to spread more quickly and cause more serious disease. Vaccination in Texas remains critically important, health professionals stress.