NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) – Beginning Tuesday, adults who are 70 or older can sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Department of Health said the state is now getting a larger supply of vaccine doses, giving more Tennesseans access to a vaccine. The department expects to receive about 93,000 doses this week, which is a 15% increase over the previous weekly amount.
Previously, the vaccine was offered to health professionals, long-term care residents, first responders, and residents 75 years of age or older. TDH believes there are approximately 300,000 Tennesseans in the 70-74 age group.
This announcement means counties could begin offering doses to the 70- to 74-year-old population, but the larger Tennessee counties may not be ready to offer it to this population because of the supply. Residents of metropolitan Tennessee counties, such as Davidson County, should check with their local health department about plans to distribute the vaccines.
TDH said its COVID-19 vaccination plan prioritizes populations at higher risk and that people ages 70 to 74 have a 70% higher death rate and 40% more hospitalizations from the virus compared to people ages 65 to 69. The state said it hopes to offer vaccinations to people over 65 as early as March, depending on the supply.
Click here for information on how to register for a COVID-19 vaccine.