NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WTVF) – Tennessee will begin Phase 1c of the 19-month COVID vaccine launch, Tennessee Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey said.
Phase 1c includes residents aged 16 and over who have a high-risk medical condition, family members of these persons, pregnant women and household contacts of pregnant women.
While some counties in the state will be ready to move into this phase next week, not every county is in the same phase of vaccine distribution. The Public Health Department Metro began offering vaccines to adults between the ages of 65 and 70 at the end of last week. Residents are asked to check with the local health department to see what stage the county is in.
Piercey said the state will be able to move into this phase due to an anticipated surplus of vaccine doses that will come to the state in the next three weeks.
Tennessee expects to receive 54,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Wednesday, which requires just one shot. The next delivery of the company’s vaccine is scheduled for the week of March 22. The state will also receive 192,000 doses of COVID-19 Pfizer and Moderna vaccines this week, both of which require two doses.
Tennessees can visit the COVID-19 state website for information on how to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine.