The Hamilton County Department of Health will align with the Tennessee State Vaccination Plan and expand COVID-19 eligibility for Phase 1B and Adults 65+ as of Monday.
As of Monday, Hamilton County eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine will include the following ages and stages:
Age range:
· 65 or older, must be a Hamilton County resident
· No specific medical condition is necessary
Phase 1B includes:
- Nursery, pre-school and kindergarten teachers up to the twelfth grade
- School staff
- School Bus Drivers
- Other rescuers (including dispatch, administrative and other emergency communication personnel not included in Phase 1a1)
Phase 1a2 includes:
Other health professionals with direct exposure to the patient
· Primary care providers and staff
· Outpatient specialty providers and staff working with acute patients
· Pharmacists and staff
· Patient transport
· Outpatient therapists
· Urgent visit center providers and staff
· Environmental services
· Oral health providers
· Behavioral health providers
· Outpatient laboratory staff working with COVID-19 samples
· Funeral / mortuary employees with direct contact with deceased
Phase 1a1 includes:
· Hospital staff / independent emergency department with direct patient exposure and / or exposure to potentially infectious materials
· Home health team
· COVID-19 mass test site team
· Health students
· Long-term care facility staff and residents
· (Qualified nursing facilities, assisted living centers, homes for the elderly, DIDD residential centers, houses for groups)
· First respondents with direct public exposure, including jailers
· Individuals> 18 years old who cannot live independently due to a serious chronic medical condition or intellectual or developmental disability
Important information to know before consultation
· Do not arrive more than 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment.
· Wear appropriate clothing to get a shot in the upper arm
· Bring proof of residency in Hamilton County (if applicable)
· Bring proof of age (if applicable)
· Bring the COVID-19 vaccine meeting form (if possible; form available for download on the registration page)
· Be prepared to wait 20 minutes after the photo
· Be prepared for the whole process to take an hour or more
Vaccination Registration Card
When patients receive their first dose at the Department of Health, they receive a Vaccination Registration Card with the following important information.
· The vaccine manufacturer (Moderna or Pfizer)
· The date the first dose of the vaccine was given
· The date the second dose of the vaccine is due
It is important to keep the Vaccination Registration Card, because when it comes to scheduling the second dose of the vaccine, it helps to ensure that you receive the correct product and on time. The current recommendation is that second dose vaccinations are received on or after the recommended date on the Vaccination Record Card, not earlier.
Additional resources
· Stay up to date on new vaccine appointment information. Follow the health department through its email newsletter and social media accounts, available at this link: http://health.hamiltontn.org/
· Transport is available to the vaccination site. Call 423-209-8383 to schedule a trip.
· Visit the Department of Health’s new vaccine FAQ page: http://health.hamiltontn.org/