MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Just days after Tennessee entered phase 1-C of COVID-19 vaccinations, the state health department is expanding the category to include more health conditions making more people immediately eligible.
The health department announced the changes late Tuesday afternoon. Shelby County announced it was following suit Wednesday morning.
Phase 1-C now includes people over 16 or older that are permanent household members living with pregnant women, have been diagnosed diabetes, live with down syndrome or have progressive neuromuscular diseases such as ALS, multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy.
Those conditions and a list of other high-risk conditions make up the 1-C category. The City of Memphis details each category here.
For people now eligible, numerous vaccination appointments are still available as of Wednesday morning.
A new vaccine POD will open in Frayser on Friday and Saturday with multiple openings here. Click here.
The Raleigh location also has several openings this week. Click here.
There are several availabilities Friday and Saturday in Whitehaven. Click here.
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(Shelby County News Release) - In alignment with the Tennessee Health Department, the Shelby County Health Department is adding additional high-risk chronic health conditions to the list of those who may be vaccinated under Phase 1c of the Tennessee Department of Health’s Vaccination Plan.
Those include individuals who meet the following criteria:
- Permanent household members age 16 and older living with pregnant women
- People age 16 and older with Down Syndrome
- People age 16 and older with progressive neuromuscular diseases such as ALS, multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy
Other serious chronic health conditions covered under phase 1C include chronic renal disease; COPD, pulmonary fibrosis or moderate-severe asthma; obesity (BMI > 30); heart conditions, including heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy and hypertension; sickle cell disease; cerebrovascular disease or stroke; dementia; and liver disease. The vaccine will also be made available to caregivers of people with high-risk medical conditions and women who are pregnant. For a detailed list of the high-risk health conditions covered under phase 1C, please refer to Tennessee’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan posted here: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/cedep/novel-coronavirus/COVID-19_Vaccination_Plan.pdf.
The age-base criteria for vaccination will remain age 65 and older. Anyone in that age category is currently eligible for vaccination regardless of other risk conditions.
Individuals in the prior phases, including first responders, health care workers, teachers and child care workers who have not yet been vaccinated remain eligible for vaccination during phase 1C as well as is anyone age 65 or older.
Appointment availabilities at City of Memphis and Shelby County vaccination locations will be posted at https://covid19.memphistn.gov/ each Friday for the following week.
Those without internet access or who need assistance in setting an appointment may call 901-222-7468 (SHOT) for assistance.