The Robertson County Health Department today announced it has received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Health Department staff members administered the Moderna vaccine to first responders, home health care providers, student health care providers, and group homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Thousands of Tennesseans are being vaccinated against the coronavirus. The Tennessee Department of Health says over 16-thousand-500 people have received Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine so far. The state says five-thousand doses of Moderna’s vaccine were released Monday and an additional 40-thousand doses of the Pfizer vaccine will arrive this week.
Health officials are urging people to think of the possible consequences of a family gathering over the holidays. Tennessee Health Commissioner Doctor Lisa Piercy says a holiday surge like seen after Thanksgiving will “completely break our hospitals.” Piercy today said she can’t over emphasize the importance for people to celebrate the holidays with only those in their household. Piercy says hospitals are faced with capacity issues and staffing shortages.
CVS pharmacies across Tennessee will administer the COVID-19 vaccine at hundreds of long-term care facilities. Beginning December 28th, the pharmacy chain will distribute the Pfizer vaccine in Tennessee and nationwide. That includes 415 long-term care facilities in Tennessee. The company says pharmacy teams will make three visits to each long-term care facility to make sure residents and staff get both doses of the vaccine.
The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association is imposing new restrictions on who may attend athletic events and practices. The TSSAA says bands, pep bands, cheerleaders and dance teams will not be allowed to attend athletic events through at least January 19th, 2021. The parents, guardians and immediate household members of players, first responders, coaches and athletic officials are among those who are permitted to attend. The announcement was made yesterday, a day after Governor Bill Lee issued a new executive order limiting public indoor gatherings to ten people.
