UPDATE: Tennessee to start appointment system for COVID-19 vaccines next week
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Q: How is the vaccine distribution going in Hamilton County?
A: Hamilton County began receiving COVID-19 vaccine in mid-December after the Pfizer vaccine was approved. The initial shipments went to local hospitals for their staff, and I have heard of no significant problems with that process.
Hamilton County Health Department received its first doses of the Moderna vaccine Christmas week and began giving the vaccine on Dec. 23. As of Dec. 31, we had given over 4,000 shots at our vaccine site on Amnicola Highway, in addition to what the hospitals have given. A physician is always present during these events, and I'm happy to report that the vaccine process has been very successful. We have had no serious reactions to the vaccine.
We are having large numbers of people interested in getting the vaccine, which has led to long lines. There are some very important things to know before you go to the site, which would help speed up the process.
First, you should check the Health Department website at health.hamiltontn.org to see exactly which risk group of people we are vaccinating and look for any another updates as this information is changing frequently. You must be at least 16 years old (for the Pfizer vaccine) or 18 (for the Moderna vaccine). You should be prepared for a significant wait of perhaps several hours, so please be patient with us. The Health Department has been modifying this process to address these long waits, and those details are also available on our website.
There are very few contraindications to this vaccine, and risks are minimal. However, if you have any concerns about getting the vaccine, it is best to check with your primary health-care provider before coming to the site. If you are allergic to any components of the vaccine, you cannot receive it. There will be a list of ingredients available at the site to check to be sure. Also, if you have had a severe anaphylactic reaction to an injectable medication or vaccine in the past, someone will talk to you about that and determine if you need to receive the vaccine in a different medical setting. Also, you should wait at least 14 days after receiving any other vaccine such as a flu or pneumonia shot. This is a recommended precaution since the COVID vaccine is new and hasn't been studied for safety with other vaccines. You should also not receive another vaccine for at least 14 days after your second COVID vaccine.
That raises the topic of the second dose of the COVID vaccine. Depending on which vaccine you get, you should get a second dose either 21 days (for Pfizer) or 28 days (for Moderna) after the first dose. While the first dose provides some immunity, the second dose is required to achieve full effectiveness. Also, the second dose must be the same vaccine as the first dose, whether Pfizer or Moderna.
You will be given additional information while waiting. It is strongly recommended that you read it thoroughly and ask any questions you might have before receiving the vaccine. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is best that you discuss with your health-care provider before you come to the vaccine site.
Another reminder about the vaccine is that there are still some things not known. We still don't know if additional "booster" doses will be required after the initial two-shot series. Also, while it has been shown that both vaccines are around 95% effective in preventing people from getting sick from the COVID virus, we don't yet know if you can still carry the virus and spread it to others.
It takes about two weeks for full effectiveness after the second dose. So you should continue the same mask-wearing, social distancing and hand washing/sanitizing precautions for the time being, and you may still need to be quarantined if you are exposed to the virus.
I'm convinced that wide acceptance and use of this vaccine will turn the corner on this pandemic, and I strongly urge everyone who can to get it.
Paul Hendricks, M.D., is the health officer at the Hamilton County Health Department and a member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society.
Contributed Photo / Dr. Paul Hendricks