Tennessee health officials announced Friday they are now administering Pfizer's COVID-19 booster shots to people vaccinated at least six months ago and others whose age, occupation or health status warrant it under just-approved guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hamilton County Health Department officials say they will begin administering the booster shots Monday.
Earlier on Friday, Gov. Bill Lee told reporters he expected the state would follow the CDC guidance.
"We are continuing and staying most focused on reminding Tennesseans that a vaccine is our most important tool to battle this pandemic," he said. "And we are encouraged by the numbers of people who are continuing, over a 100,000 in the past week, over 112,000 I think. But we can't let up on that."
Hamilton County, which runs its own health department, announced earlier Friday that Pfizer boosters will be administered by appointment starting next week.
"The health department will begin rolling out Pfizer booster shots by appointment only," the county's interim administrator Sabrina Novak said in the release. "The health department strives to be proactive in modifying plans as necessary, and we will continue to do so with booster shots. Eligibility criteria, as well as our process, is likely to change over time so please continue to monitor our website and social media for any further updates and guidance."
Hamilton County is following U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, allowing certain individuals to receive a Pfizer booster shot, including those who completed their two-dose Pfizer series at least six months ago, and:
- Individuals 65 years of age and older.
- Long-term care facility residents age 18 years and older.
- Individuals 50-64 years of age with underlying medical conditions that place them at high risk of severe COVID-19 if infected.
- Individuals 18-64 who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting.
- Individuals 18-49 with underlying medical conditions that place them at high risk of severe COVID-19 if infected and who perceive the benefit greater than the risk to themselves in receiving the booster dose or were directed by their health care provider to receive a booster dose.
Occupations that are eligible include "health care worker, teacher, first responder, grocery store worker, worker or resident in a congregate setting and other occupations that deal directly with the public," according to the release.
People with weakened immune systems, autoimmune diseases and other conditions are considered high risk according to the CDC. More information on included conditions can be found at cdc.gov/coronavirus/.
According to the health department, the CDC has not approved a booster shot for Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines at this time.
"As this is a quickly evolving situation, the health department will notify residents when a booster shot for these manufacturers becomes available," the release said.
To make a Pfizer COVID-19 booster appointment at the Tennessee Riverpark:
- Visit vaccine.hamiltontn.gov and click on the "Booster Appointment" tab.
- Call 423-209-5398 (English) or 423-209-8383 (Spanish).
Residents can expedite their appointments by completing the booster encounter form under the "Handouts" tab on the website ahead of their appointment.
The health department requests recipients bring their vaccine record cards to the appointment. If you lost your card, health department staff can access electronic records at the vaccination site.
Georgia vaccines
Georgia's Department of Public Health announced Friday afternoon that it too would begin offering the booster shots on Monday in accordance with the CDC's guidance.
"DPH currently has adequate inventory of the Pfizer vaccine and will work to ensure accessibility to booster doses statewide," the department reported in an emailed news release.
"DPH continues to stress the importance of vaccination for all Georgians aged 12 and older. Vaccination is our best tool to protect lives and stop the spread of COVID-19 in our state," the release stated.
To find a COVID vaccination location, visit dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine.
Contact Sarah Grace Taylor at staylor@timesfreepress.comor 423-757-6416. Follow her on Twitter @_sarahgtaylor.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow him on Twitter @AndySher1.