NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee Department of Health officials announced changes to the vaccine roll-out plan.
On Wednesday, there was a steady flow of people at Metro's vaccine clinic on 10th and Fatherland in East Nashville.
According to officials, teachers and people over the age of 75 are next in line to get vaccinated. However, every county is currently in a different phase. For example, in Hardin and Decatur Counties, they're already vaccinating the elderly. See the list here.
In Nashville, they’re not vaccinating the elderly yet. Because of that, the health department has "already gotten a number of angry calls," Brian Todd, Director of Communications said.
Metro Health Department spokesperson Brian Todd said the city is still vaccinating hospital workers and first responders. In addition, Walgreens and CVS have been contracted to distribute the vaccine at long term care facilities. "Combine all of those, we’re about 55,000 just in Davidson County, but we haven’t received 55,000 doses of the vaccines," Todd said.
The state also made changes to the first vaccine phase called 1a1. They added more people to the list including home healthcare workers and people with chronic medical conditions who cannot live independently. "So if you have a smaller number like some of these counties do, you can probably move through phases at a different speed than let’s say someplace like Nashville," Todd said.
Next, is phase 1a2 for Music City. This means remaining healthcare workers, lab staff who work with COVID-19 specimens, and funeral workers who handle dead bodies, can get the COVID-19 vaccine. "We learned about the plan, it seems ambitious, and it's speeding things along," Todd said.
When they're finished, the elderly and teachers will be next in line. If you are 75 and older, you have to call and schedule an appointment at your local health department to get a vaccine.
In Nashville and Williamson County, they're unable to accept appointments as of 12/30. However, we learned Montgomery County was accepting appointments from eligible callers.
