1 million Tennesseans vaccinated against COVID-19

April 2, 2021 at 9:56 a.m. | Updated April 2, 2021 at 9:56 a.m.

by Associated Press

Hamilton County Health Department worker Shelly Donahue gives a shot of the COVID-19 vaccine near the Hubert Fry Center at the Tennessee Riverpark, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The Hamilton County Health Department continued distributing vaccines following the State of Tennessee's response plan at their Vaccination Drive-Thru Point of Dispensing. (C.B. Schmelter/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP)
Hamilton County Health Department worker Shelly Donahue gives a shot of the COVID-19 vaccine near the Hubert Fry Center at the Tennessee Riverpark, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The Hamilton County Health Department continued distributing vaccines following the State of Tennessee's response plan at their Vaccination Drive-Thru Point of Dispensing. (C.B. Schmelter/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - One million Tennesseans have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the state's Department of Health announced Thursday.

According to a news release, roughly 22% of the state's approximate 7 million population has received at least one dose.

''We celebrate this milestone and expect to see this number increase as vaccine is more widely available," said Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey in a statement. "The hard work and dedication of our local health departments and statewide vaccine partners have helped us reach this significant moment in our fight against COVID-19."

The department says more than half of Tennesseans over the age of 60 have received a first dose, and nearly two-thirds of those over the age of 70 have received their initial dose. The agency also noted that vaccinations among Tennessee's Black and Hispanic populations have also increased.

Tennessee is expanding COVID-19 eligibility to people aged 16 and older on April 5.

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