Paramedic Dustin Dillehay of the Smith County Emergency Medical Services is administered the COVID-19 vaccine by the Smith County Health Department
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two different Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for coronavirus vaccines. EUAs were authorized for both Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines.
The state of Tennessee received 56,550 doses of the Pfizer vaccine from the initial distribution last week. The first batch of 115,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine arrived on Monday. The Tennessee Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccination Plan states that the vaccine will be given to essential first responders and healthcare workers first. Next in line would be residents of long-term care facilities. Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey announced on Tuesday that preliminary numbers indicate the state could get 90,000 vaccine doses per-week beginning as early as next week. Both vaccines require two doses to be effective, so the state projects 180,000 individuals per month will be able to be immunized against COVID-19.
No doses were allocated for Smith County in the initial shipment last week; however, the Smith County Health Department began administering their initial allocation of 100 doses of the Moderna vaccine on Monday, December 21. Ten doses of the vaccine were administered to first responders, with additional doses planned to be administered on Wednesday, December 23 and in the future.
Jerry Bass, Gordonsville Assistant Police Chief, receives the COVID-19 vaccine.
Riverview Regional Medical Center said it anticipates receiving its first batch of vaccines during the week of December 28. The hospital stated, “We are confident that as soon as we receive the vaccine, we will be ready to vaccinate our healthcare heroes who are working so hard on the front lines each and every day. As soon as the vaccine becomes more broadly available, we strongly encourage our community to get vaccinated.”
Due to the limited amount of vaccines expected to be allocated, only essential healthcare workers/first responders are expected to receive a vaccination in the near future. Factors including vaccine production, prioritization of distribution, and approval of other vaccines will affect the general availability of the vaccine; however, wide availability to the public isn’t expected until the second or third quarter of next year based on current estimates.
The vaccines are arriving while Smith County is experiencing a surge in cases. As of December 22, Smith County has seen an average of 27.21 new cases/day over the previous 14-day period, including 278 active cases. Smith County is currently on pace to have its worst month of new cases, with November being the previous highest month with 433 new cases reported.
Smith County is not the only local area experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases. At the time of publishing, Tennessee has the highest new case rate in the United States according to the CDC. On Sunday, Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 70, limiting indoor social gatherings to 10 people or less. The order does not include weddings, funerals, or church gatherings. Governor Lee did not issue a mask mandate. Still, he encouraged Tennesseans to wear masks when out in public and avoid groups other than immediate families to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Local leaders have also encouraged Smith Countians to follow the recommendations of health officials. The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to practice social distancing, wear a face covering while in public, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and wash your hands often with soap and water. You should also cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, stay home when you are sick, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
