NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) – Tennessee will begin phase 1c of the launch of the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, announced Tennessee Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey.
Phase 1c includes residents aged 16 and over and with high-risk medical conditions, family members of these individuals, pregnant women and home contacts of pregnant women.
Although some counties in the state are ready to enter this phase next week, not all are in the same phase of distribution of the vaccine. Metro’s Department of Public Health began offering vaccines to adults aged 65 to 70 late last week. Residents are asked to check with the local health department to see what stage the county is at.
Piercey said the state will be able to enter this phase thanks to a large expected surplus of vaccine doses that will reach the state in the next three weeks.
Tennessee is expected to receive 54,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires only one injection, on Wednesday. The next shipment of the company’s vaccine is scheduled for the week of March 22. The state will also receive 192,000 doses of Moderna’s Pfizer and COVID-19 vaccines this week, both with two doses.
Tennesseans can visit the state’s COVID-19 website for information on scheduling an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine.