COVID-19 Vaccines in Lewis County

*Phases were revised after our print version was released. This story has the updated information*

The first round of COVID-19 vaccinations have now been administered. As of December 25, about 125 people have now been vaccinated in Lewis County.

Lewis County's first to be vaccinated for First Responders was E-911 Board Director, Danny Atkinson.

"The virus has taken so many lives around here. What else can we do to be protected from the virus?" said Atkinson. "So I decided I'd rather take my chances with the vaccine rather than the virus."

What to expect

The vaccines are free and are available at the Lewis County Health Department.

There are two vaccines and each of them is given in two doses. The Moderna Vaccine is for those who are 18 and older and requires 28 days between the first vaccine and the second. The Pfizer requires a 21 day period between doses and can be given to those who are 16 and older.

The first dose does prevent the virus, but the second dose makes the vaccines effective by 95 percent, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. After the shot is administered, the recipient receives a card which tells the date they will be able to get the second dose.

While many say that they are only waiting for the vaccine to become available, there are some who are concerned about the safety and the effectiveness of the vaccines.

The TDH reported that there were severe allergic reactions to the Pfizer vaccine, but it only occurred for "very few people" who had severe allergic reactions to other vaccines in the past.

"The vaccines have been through various trials by the CDC to ensure their safety," said Lewis County Health Department Director Sarah Russell. "The vaccines are important for our community in fighting the virus."

Atkinson, who was vaccinated last Wednesday, reported his arm was a little sore but it hurt less than a flu shot. "I've had no other reaction to it," said Atkinson, "The only thing it didn't help was my youth."

Phases

The vaccines are administered in four phases, with Phase 1 having three parts. Lewis County is currently in Phase 1a1 and 1a2, the first two stages.

If a person qualifies under a phase and is 75 or older, then they have first priority as they are the most at risk for a serious reaction to the disease instead of the initial 65 and older. It is unclear when individuals 65 and older will be able to get the vaccination.

Phase 1a1 is for healthcare workers and first responders who are commonly exposed to the virus. This includes hospital workers, home care staff, COVID-19 testing staff, student health providers, long-term care facilities and individuals who are 18 and older who cannot live independently due to a serious chronic medical condition or intellectual or developmental disability.

The state of Tennessee also added men and women are 65 and older who have cancer, Chronic Kidney Disease, COPD, a solid organ transplant, a serious cardiac disease, a BMI of 30 or higher, Sickle Cell Disease or Type 1 and 2 Diabetes to the first priority list.

Phase 1a2 is directed towards other health care workers who have direct patient exposure such as primary care providers, oral health providers, pharmacist staff, patient transport, outpatient therapists and lab staff, urgent visit center providers, funeral and mortuary workers, behavioral heath providers and environmental services.

Phase 1b is for K-12, child care teachers and school staff.

Phase 1c is for persons who are aged 16 and older with high-risk conditions such as cancer, chronic renal disease, COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, solid organ transplant, obesity, heart failure, CAD, cardiomyopathies, hypertension, Sickle Cell, Thalassemia, Diabetes, Cerebrovascular Disease, Liver Disease, dementia or those who have been immunocompromised.

Phase 2 is for critical infrastructure workers which includes social services, commercial agriculture, commercial food production, corrections staff and public transit.

Phase 2b continues protection for critical infrastructure workers, including transportation, postal workers, public infrastructure, telecommunications and utilities/energy.

Phase 3 is for individuals in congregate living facilities such as dormitories, grocery workers and corrections.

Phase 4 opens the doors for anyone who has not already been vaccinated.

There is no exact timeline for when the vaccines would be available to the general public, according to Russell.

"The amount of people getting vaccinated changes by the day," said Russell, "So we're moving through the phases as we're able."

If you have questions about when you might be able to get the vaccine, you can call the Lewis County Health Department at 931-796-2204.