Tennessee has reached a vaccination landmark of one million Tennesseans being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Approximately 22 percent have received at least one dose.
"We celebrate this milestone and expect to see this number increase as vaccine is more widely available," said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. "The hard work and dedication of our local health departments and statewide vaccine partners have helped us reach this significant moment in our fight against COVID-19."
Overall, 779,542 Tennesseans have had one does of Pfizer or Moderna and 1,024,527 have completed the two-shot series or had the single dose from Johnson & Johnson.
It's a good start to our sluggish vaccine roll out. We've still got a long way to go before we reach the approximately 4.2 million Tennesseans who are eligible for the vaccine.
Rutherford County reported 105 new today (April 2). Over the last seven days, we have averaged 624.3 tests per day with a 10% positivity rate (or an average of 62.43 new cases a day). This is down significantly from the peak wave on Dec. 19, 2020, which saw a seven-day average of 467.4 new cases per day.
In Rutherford County, 100,109 shots of the three vaccines have been administered, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. That translates into 20% of the population having received at least one dose of Pfizer, Moderna, or the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
More importantly, 11.44% of the population is fully vaccinated.
As a state, as a county, we can do better. And Tennessee leaders contend they are committed to ensuring that everyone who wants a vaccine can get one and ensuring equity in the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan.
"We are encouraged that Tennessee is increasing uptake particularly among our elderly, minority and underserved populations," said Piercey. "At this point in the vaccine roll out, we are committed to access for everyone if they choose to receive a vaccine in a health department, a pharmacy, or a provider’s office."
TDH has been working with community partners, faith leaders, and health care advocates to help empower and inform underserved populations across the state. Over half of Tennesseans over the age of 60 have received their first dose, and nearly two-thirds of those over age 70 have received their first does. Meanwhile, over the past month, Tennessee’s Hispanic population receiving at least one dose has increased from 3.9 percent to 12.9 percent and Tennessee’s Black population receiving at least one dose has increased from 5 percent to 15 percent.
Highest County Vaccine Administration
Of all Tennessee's counties, the ones with highest vaccine administration per 100,000 population aren't in the Nashville's economic boom ring. In fact, three of these counties, Unicoi, Hancock, and Madison, are among Tennessee’s 35 counties with highest Social Vulnerability Index values, indicating they may struggle to recover from adversity.
Those 35 counties are provided additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines, beyond their population-based allocation, so those counties could move through the state’s eligibility phases more quickly and protect their high-risk communities. And the people there are lining up for doses.
Highest Doses/100K Population
Unicoi 33,186
Trousdale 32,706
Hancock 32,122
Moore 27,194
Madison 26,312
Marshall 25,548
Monroe 25,179
Henry 24,959
Sullivan 24,611
Pickett 24,590
Schedule Your Vaccination Appointment
Find vaccination providers in your area by visiting VaccineFinder.org. Tennessee county health departments across the state currently have appointments available for COVID-19 vaccination. Book an appointment with your county health department at COVID19.tn.gov. Those who need help scheduling a COVID-19 vaccination appointment with their local health department may call the TDH vaccine support line at 866-442-5301. Transportation resources are available when appointments are booked online or via phone.
TDH reminds all Tennesseans to remain vigilant to prevent the additional spread of COVID-19. In addition to vaccination, wearing a face mask, maintaining social distance and getting tested when exposed or sick are critical to controlling the pandemic.
Tennessee’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan is available online at www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/cedep/novel-coronavirus/COVID-19_Vaccination_Plan.pdf. Find answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination at https://covid19.tn.gov/data/faqs/.
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. TDH has facilities in all 95 counties and provides direct services for more than one in five Tennesseans annually as well as indirect services for everyone in the state, including emergency response to health threats, licensure of health professionals, regulation of health care facilities and inspection of food service establishments. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.