NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Starting Tuesday, adults who are 70 years or 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 is expecting to get about 93,000 doses this week, which is a 15% increase from the prior weekly amount.
Previously, the vaccine was being offered to health care workers, long-term care residents, first responders and residents who are 75 or older. TDH believes there are about 300,000 Tennesseans who are in the 70-74-year-old age group.
This announcement means counties can begin to offer doses to the 70 to 74 years old population, but Tennessee's larger counties may not be ready to offer it to this population due to supply. Residents in Tennessee's metropolitan counties such as Davidson County should check with their local health department about its plans to distribute the vaccines.
TDH said its COVID-19 vaccination plan prioritizes higher-risk populations and people aged 70 to 74 have a 70% higher rate of death and a 40% higher rate of hospitalization from the virus compared to those aged 65 to 69. The state said it hopes to begin offering vaccinations to those aged 65 and older as soon as March, depending on the supply.
For information on how to register for a COVID-19 vaccine, click here.
