Shelby County expands COVID-19 vaccination guidelines for ages 70+

By Sherman Greer and Suzanne Gibson

The Shelby County Health Department widened access to the coronavirus vaccine as of today to include persons aged 70 – 74. To date, there have been 67,061 COVID-19 vaccines administered in Shelby County and 13,161 of those individuals are over the age of 75, according to data from the Health Department. Appointment slots are being filled immediately, so eligible individuals are encouraged to check availability frequently.

COVID-19 vaccinations are by appointment only and can be scheduled at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/pipkinbuilding, or by calling (901) 222-SHOT (7468).

Southwest’s Whitehaven Center, located at 1234 Finley, will begin administering first doses of the Pfizer vaccine on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, and throughout February. Currently, there are no available appointments left in February at this location.

Other providers offering COVID-19 vaccines to eligible individuals include:

• Walmart – To schedule an appointment, https://www.walmart.com/cp/1228302
• Cherokee Health Systems – To schedule an appointment, call (901) 302-4361.

Individuals eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations include groups 1a1 and 1a2 of the Health Department’s Vaccination Plan. This list includes the following individuals:

• Individuals 70 and above
• First responders with direct public exposure including EMS, law enforcement and fire fighters
• Staff working at COVID-19 mass testing sites
• Staff and residents of long-term care facilities, residential homes for the aged and staff and residents of assisted living centers who have direct contact with residents or contact with potentially infectious materials
• Staff of other congregate care facilities such as homes for the intellectually or developmentally disabled, detention centers, Staff of Department of Children’s Services residential facilities, rehabilitation hospitals and psychiatric hospitals who have direct patient contact or contact with potentially infectious materials
• Home health care staff with direct patient contact
• Staff and residents of long-term care facilities, residential homes for the aged and staff and residents of assisted living centers who have direct contact with residents or contact with potentially infectious materials
• Individuals >18 years or older who cannot live independently due to serious chronic medical condition or intellectual or developmental disability
• Providers of K-12 or university student health services who have direct patient contact or contact with potentially infectious materials
• Funeral/mortuary service providers
• Health care workers, including:
• Primary care providers and staff
• Outpatient specialty providers and staff working with acute patients
• Pharmacists and staff
• Patient transport
• Outpatient therapists
• Urgent visit center providers and staff
• Environmental services
• Oral health providers
• Behavioral health providers
• Outpatient laboratory staff working with COVID-19 specimens