The Hamilton County Health Department (HCHD) is currently administering the COVID-19 vaccine by appointment only to groups that qualify for Phase 1a1, Phase 1a2 and those 75 years and older.
According to the HCHD, the vaccine distribution is guided by “phases” in accordance with the State of Tennessee’s Vaccination Plan. Only those eligible in the current phases will be able to make an appointment. Eligibility for current phases can be checked on the HCHD’s website.
Residents who qualify for these phases may receive their first dose of the vaccine at the Tennessee Riverpark Hubert Fry Center, 4301 Amnicola Hwy. Second doses will be administered at Carta Bus Barn, 1617 Wilcox Blvd.
On Jan. 15, the HCHD, in partnership with the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management, announced its new appointment system via press release. The system will allow residents to schedule their vaccine appointments online. Those who do not have access to the internet are encouraged to schedule their appointments through the Emergency Management’s call center at (423) 209-5399.
During a press conference via Facebook livestream on Jan. 21, HCHD Administrator Becky Barnes stated that the new appointment system has been successful in helping residents schedule their dose appointments.
“This new system started up last weekend and went very well,” Barnes said. “And by 2 p.m. on Sunday [Jan. 17], all of the first doses were filled, which was 2, 912.”
On Jan. 22, the HCHD announced via press release that it would begin taking first dose appointments again starting at 9 a.m., and new appointment dates were added to the schedule from Jan. 24 to Jan. 28. That same day, WTVC reported that by 11 a.m. all first dose appointments were filled online for the following week. However, many first dose appointments are still available through the call center, starting Jan. 25 at 8:30 a.m.
As of Jan. 23, 8,595 first and second dose vaccines have been administered by the HCHD, according to Carleena Angwin, Communications Chief at the HCHD.
Collegedale Mayor Katie Lamb encourages residents to get their COVID-19 vaccines.
“Getting a vaccine is important to stopping the spread of COVID-19,” Lamb said. “I believe the Health Department is doing what they can considering the circumstances under which the government has released the vaccine supply.”All updates and information regarding COVID-19 vaccines for Hamilton County can be found on the HCHD’s website.
