All Tennessees 75 years of age or older are already eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines in most southeastern counties in Tennessee, including Hamilton, according to changes to the vaccination plan released Wednesday.
K-12 school staff and child care workers also rose to the vaccine priority line, ahead of adults with multiple high-risk conditions and other critical infrastructure workers, just like adults 65 and older. However, these groups will not be eligible until the next vaccination phase, which is expected to begin around February or March, according to a graphic illustration of the Tennessee Department of Health’s new plan.
Tennessee Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey said during a news conference that the changes focus on reducing risks to the health care system, society and the economy, while protecting those most vulnerable to serious infection and fatality of COVID-19.
With each new phase, people under the age of 10 will be eligible for vaccination regardless of their job or if they have underlying health conditions.
“Our plan is based on Tennessee data. We know that more than half of Tennessee residents who are hospitalized [with COVID-19] they are 65 more, and 80% of our deaths are 65 more, ”Piercey said, adding that the justification for the new priority for teachers and childcare workers is based on social risk.
“We know the importance of schools for the functioning of our society and our economy, not only to keep children in schools so that they can learn and be educated, but also to keep parents at work,” he said.
Several other groups, including people over the age of 18, who cannot live independently due to health or disability conditions, are eligible for vaccination. The following list contains all currently eligible groups in Hamilton County according to a statement from the Hamilton County Department of Health:
* All healthcare workers with direct exposure to patients or potentially infectious materials (including hospital staff, outpatient providers, pharmacy staff, patient transportation, therapists, janitors, dental providers, behavioral health providers, laboratory staff working with COVID samples -19, funeral / mortuary workers)
* Home health personnel
* COVID-19 mass test site staff
* Student health providers
* Staff and residents of long-term care centers
* First responders
* People over the age of 18 who cannot live independently due to health or disability conditions
* Anyone 75 years of age or older (must be a resident of Hamilton County)
Counties may advance in allocation phases at different times depending on their supply and demand for vaccines. Coffee County was the only county in southeastern Tennessee that has not yet vaccinated people age 75 and older, the health department’s website reported Wednesday.
Tennessee residents who meet the requirements for vaccination can be vaccinated through their employer or at a local health department. Staff members and residents of long-term care facilities will be vaccinated through a partnership between pharmacies and the state.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga health workers among first Tennessees vaccinated against COVID-19)
Eligible people who want to get vaccinated in Southeast Tennessee counties outside of Hamilton County should call their local health department to make an appointment.
The Hamilton County Department of Health COVID-19 vaccination site on Amnicola Highway 4301 will be open and will give the Pfizer vaccine to eligible people, including people 75 and older who live or work in the county, Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 17 hours. who is vaccinated must bring proof of eligibility, such as a job identification document and / or residency documentation.
“We realize that information is changing rapidly about the distribution of vaccines,” Health Department administrator Becky Barnes said in the press release. “We call for the continued patience of our residents as our staff work through the challenges posed by this great company.”
To date, the Hamilton County Department of Health has received 3,400 doses of the Modern vaccine and 975 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. As of Wednesday, the department had administered a total of 3,086 doses.
The health department’s efforts are in addition to ongoing vaccination campaigns at local hospitals. Chattanooga’s three major health systems – CHI Memorial, Parkridge and Erlanger – reported that they vaccinated nearly 8,350 staff members together as of Wednesday and had at least 2,900 more doses on hand, with plans to administer them in the future. close.
Changes in the overall state plan come despite Tennessee being behind its vaccination target after last week’s snowstorm delayed shipments of the Modern vaccine.
The Tennessee vaccination plan has undergone several revisions since it was first introduced in the fall, and officials said more changes are likely to occur depending on demand and as vaccine supplies increase.
Many more people will need to be vaccinated before controlling the pandemic, so wearing face masks, socially distancing oneself and taking the test when exposed or sick remains critical, officials said.
The Tennessee COVID-19 vaccination plan is available online.
Contact Elizabeth Fite at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @ecfite.