NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WTVF) – As of Tuesday, adults age 70 and older can sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Department of Health said the state is now receiving an increased supply of vaccine doses, allowing more Tennesseans to have access to a vaccine. The department expects to get about 93,000 doses this week, which is a 15% increase over the previous weekly amount.
Previously, the vaccine was offered to health care workers, long-term care residents, first responders, and residents 75 years of age or older. TDH estimates that there are about 300,000 Tennesseans who are part of the 70-74 age group.
This announcement means that counties may start offering doses to the population aged 70 to 74, but Tennessee’s largest counties may not be prepared to offer them to that population because of supply. Residents in Tennessee metropolitan counties, such as Davidson County, should consult with their local health department about their plans to distribute the vaccines.
TDH said its COVID-19 vaccination plan prioritizes higher-risk populations and that people aged 70 to 74 have a 70% higher mortality rate and a 40% higher hospitalization for the virus. compared to people aged 65 to 69 years. expects to start offering vaccines to those over 65 as soon as March, according to the supply.
For information on how to register for a COVID-19 vaccine, click here.