MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) has received confirmation from Tennessee Department of Health that it will provide a weekly allotment of COVID-19 vaccine to the Health Department to provide to vaccinations to Shelby County residents.
The initial commitment from the state is for approximately 8,900 doses per week through the end of January. We expect that the each January shipment will be divided between the Shelby County Health Department and the hospital systems. In the first of the weekly January shipments, the SCHD is expected to administer up to 4,000 doses, with the balance of the vaccine being administered by the hospital systems. The weekly breakout may change.
Based on an anticipated weekly allotment, SCHD will begin offering vaccinations on an appointment-only basis at the Pipkin Building at the Shelby County Fairgrounds each Tuesday – Saturday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Appointments may be made on the online appointment app SignUpGenius at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/JanCOVID19Signup. Those without internet access are to call 901-222-SHOT(7468) for assistance in scheduling an appointment beginning 8:00 a.m., Monday, January 11, 2021. The Health Department will add other vaccination sites throughout the county as the vaccine campaign moves forward.
During January, the vaccine will be available to persons in the following categories, as defined by the Tennessee Department of Health in its COVID-19 Vaccination Plan:
- All persons listed in the 1a1 groups, including:
- First responders with direct public exposure including EMS, law enforcement, and fire fighters
- Staff working at COVID-19 mass testing sites
- Staff and residents of long-term care facilities, residential homes for the aged, and staff and residents of assisted living centers who have direct contact with residents or contact with potentially infectious materials
- Staff of other congregate care facilities such as homes for the intellectually or developmentally disabled, detention centers, Staff of Department of Children’s Services residential facilities, rehabilitation hospitals and psychiatric hospitals who have direct patient contact or contact with potentially infectious materials
- Home health care staff with direct patient contact
- Staff and residents of long-term care facilities, residential homes for the aged, and staff and residents of assisted living centers who have direct contact with residents or contact with potentially infectious materials
- Individuals > 18 years or older who cannot live independently due to serious chronic medical condition or intellectual or developmental disability
- Providers of K-12 or university student health services who have direct patient contact or contact with potentially infectious materials
- Funeral/mortuary service providers
- Health care workers, including:
- 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 specimens
- Individuals age 75 and over
- All those presenting for vaccination should be prepared to bring identification and proof of eligibility, including proof of age, a professional license, or a letter from an employer.
Shelby County Health Department is proud to be a part of this historic vaccination effort against COVID-19. For more information about COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit our website: http://www.shelby.community/.
