Kamil Yousuf
Section Editor
On April 5, all Tennesseans 16 and older will be able to be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, governor Bill Lee said.
This announcement has come as the supply of vaccines in Tennessee has been increasing. 2.9 million more doses have been delivered to Tennessee, with more vaccines from Johnson and Johnson on the way through the week of March 29, increasing the supply of vaccines by 30%.
“As we've promised, we're able to expand our COVID-19 vaccine eligibility as vaccine supplies have increased, and we've made substantial progress in protecting those most at risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19," Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey said.
Eligibility for the vaccine was previously limited to people 16 or older with underlying health conditions or all adults 55 or older.
Vaccination rates in Dyer County are low, with 18% of the population having received one dose of COVID-19 and 11.4% having been fully vaccinated. In fact, Dyer County Mayor Chris Young said, there have been fewer vaccines administered than there should be.
"Well we did 99 [vaccines], I believe, today [March 22] and we should be doing 300 to 500 every day," Young said.
Only 20% of appointments for vaccines are filled in West Tennessee compared to 80% in Middle Tennessee, according to local Memphis station WMC.
In light of this, the Dyer County Health Department started a program on March 24 running into April 1 allowing anybody to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the Fairgrounds. To book an appointment, anybody 16 or older can call 1-866-442-5301. Residents 18 or older can also book an appointment by visiting covid19.tn.gov.
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The Dyer County Health Department is offering COVID-19 vaccines at the Fairgrounds from March 24 to April 1 for all who are 16 or older.
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