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Hardin County Health Department starts giving COVID-19 shots to frontline healthcare workers, first responders

Hardin County Health Department contract nurse Kristie Mathis on Tuesday gives a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine shot to Dan Smiley, a Hardin County Fire Department paramedic, at a drive-through vaccination event.

The Hardin County Health Department received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday.
Hardin County Health Department staff members started administering the Moderna vaccine this afternoon at the Hardin County Fairgrounds to first responders, home health care providers, student health care providers and group homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“We are excited to receive these vaccines and see our COVID-19 vaccination activities underway in our community,” said Hardin County Health Director Pattie Kiddy. “We’ve been preparing for months to distribute approved vaccines and we believe this will be a safe and effective tool in the fight against COVID-19.”
Hardin County Fire Department paramedic Dan Smiley was one of the first few to receive the vaccine on Tuesday.
“This is a good opportunity to protect myself from COVID-19 during direct patient contact,” said Smiley.
Home Health worker Lisa Broughton also received her vaccination.
“I’m very nervous about the vaccine. But I’m diabetic and I’m more nervous about getting COVID-19,” said Broughton.
The Tennessee Department of Health will provide data on COVID-19 vaccines administered in the state via a new dashboard online at www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/cedep/novel-coronavirus/Vaccine.pdf. This dashboard will be updated each Tuesday and Friday.
As of Tuesday afternoon, a total of 2,711 vaccinations have been reported in Tennessee.
Initial supplies of the COVID-19 vaccines are limited. The first allocations of both the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines in Tennessee will be used to provide first vaccine doses primarily to healthcare providers, first responders and nursing home residents.
The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are not interchangeable; each patient must receive two doses of the same vaccine to be protected against COVID-19. Those who choose to receive the vaccine will receive a card with the date of their first dose, the name and manufacturer of the vaccine received and the date on which they should receive their second dose.
Officials say Tennessee’s plan for allocation of COVID-19 vaccine has been developed with a focus on how best to serve the diverse populations and communities, and to ensure distribution of vaccination sites across all 95 counties, especially in rural areas and those with high concentrations of people in vulnerable populations.
The Hardin County Health Department is offering free COVID-19 testing on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
To allow staff to transition to administering vaccinations of frontline healthcare providers and first responders, the local Health Department is using self-testing kits for adults 18 and older on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The COVID-19 self-test is done in the parking lot of the Hardin County Health Department at 1920 Pickwick St. in Savannah. Those participating need a smartphone and a valid email.
Find more information for TDH health department testing sites online at https://covid19.tn.gov/testing-sites/.

6 Comments

  1. Patricia Spence on December 31, 2020 at 2:55 pm

    We have called and went to Hardin Health Dept.tryiny to find information on covid shots.Just don’t know.12-31-2020. My husband is 80years old. Maybe we will find out sometime. Patricia Spence

  2. Maxine Shepard on January 1, 2021 at 6:22 pm

    I am over 70 years old and would like to get the COVID 19 vaccine. My husband and I live in Counce and would like like to get the shot at the Hardin County Health Dept.

    Please let me know what date and time we can go there.

    Thanks,
    Maxine Shepard

    • Doris J. Mastetson on January 7, 2021 at 11:26 am

      I am 73 years old when can I get the vaccine?

  3. Aaron Littlejohn on January 18, 2021 at 4:08 pm

    I am 79 yrs. Old would like to get the covid 19 shots. When can I sign up and get the shot 731-607-5882.

    • Editor on January 20, 2021 at 8:20 am

      Look for this story on this website, Aaron: Updates to Tennessee’s interactive COVID-19 map, plus county-specific pages simplify use

    • Editor on January 25, 2021 at 2:30 pm

      Check your email, Aaron.

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