Hamilton County Health Department Adds New Appointments For Covid Vaccinations

The Hamilton County Health Department Has Added 5,420 New First Dose And 2,670 New Second Dose Appointment Opportunities Into Their System For The Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine. 

Photo Credit: Arne Müseler / arne-mueseler.com / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Published March 18, 2021

The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

New appointments for people in the eligible phases (1a1, 1a2, 1B, 1C and adults ages 55 and up) can make their appointments on the Health Department’s website or by calling the Health Department’s Appointment Call Center Monday through Friday from 8AM – 4PM:   

 • First dose appointments: 423-209-5398   

• Second dose appointments: 423-209-5399   

• General COVID-19 questions: 423-209-8383 (M-F, 8AM – 4PM)  

The Health Department warns that due to high volume of calls, people may experience a busy signal and need to hang up and call back.   

The current dates and locations for the New First Dose Appointments are as follows:   

• March 18^th and 19^th at the Enterprise South Nature Park.   

• March 20^th and 22^nd at the Tennessee Riverpark 

• March 22^nd at the CARTA Bus Barn 

The current dates and locations for the New Second Dose Appointments are as follows:   

• March 23^rd, 24^th and 25^th at the CARTA Bus Barn 

Hamilton County’s vaccine distribution is guided by phases according to the State of Tennessee’s Vaccination Plan. Only those eligible in the current phases will be able to make an appointment.   

As of March 17th, 125,975 vaccines had been administered in Hamilton County. 

In a recent COVID-19 update, Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger said, “Saturday (March 13^th), was exactly one year that we’ve been dealing with the Covid-19 virus here in Hamilton County.” 

Coppinger went on to say that, “we have lost over, right now, 464 people that have succumbed to this virus and we certainly want to remember all of them in our thoughts and prayers and their families and friends.” 

Coppinger reported that the active cases are below 800 at current, but stated that, “We have had over 40,000 people that have been active at one time or another with the virus and we’re glad to see that about 97% of them have recovered.” 

Current Phases/Eligibility   

Phase 1C includes: 

• Chronic renal disease 

• COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, Cystic Fibrosis, moderate-severe asthma

• Diabetes

• Obesity (BMI 30 or over) 

• Heart failure, CAD, cardiomyopathies, hypertension 

• Sickle cell, thalassemia 

• Cerebrovascular disease or stroke 

• Dementia 

• Liver disease 

• High risk progressive neuromuscular disorder 

• Down Syndrome 

• Women ages 16 years and older who are pregnant and their permanent household residents 16 years and older *Pregnant women were not included in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials; however, the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 is thought to be significantly higher than the risk of vaccination. Pregnant women are encouraged to discuss vaccination with their health care provider.) 

• Technologically-dependent individuals ages 16 years or older and the household residents and caregivers of children under 16 years old who are technologically-dependent. Such as individuals who are ventilator-dependent, oxygen-dependent, with tracheostomy, wheelchair-bound due to high-risk medical condition, or require tube feedings, parenteral nutrition, or dialysis. 

• Individuals ages 16 years or older with immunocompromising conditions and the household residents and caregivers of children under 16 years old who have immunocompromising conditions. Such as individuals receiving chemotherapy, requiring daily oral steroids or other immunosuppressants, those with HIV/AIDS or other diagnosed high-risk immunodeficiency. 

• Household residents and caregivers of children under 16 years old who have complex congenital heart disease requiring ongoing medical management, such as Tetralogy of Fallot, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and double outlet right ventricle, or qualify for the Katie Beckett waiver. 

Phase 1B includes:  

• Childcare, pre-school, and kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers  

• School Staff  

• School Bus Drivers  

• Other First Responders (Including Dispatch, Administrative personnel and other Emergency Communications personnel not included in Phase 1a1)  

• Airfield Operations personnel employed by commercial and cargo service airports  

Phase 1a2 includes:   

• Other Health Care Workers with Direct Patient Exposure   

• 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   

• Funeral/mortuary workers with direct decedent contact  

Phase 1a1 includes:   

• Hospital/Free-Standing Emergency Department Staff with Direct Patient Exposure and/or Exposure to Potentially-Infectious Materials   

• Home health care staff   

• COVID-19 mass testing site staff   

• Student health providers   

• Staff & Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities   

• (Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Centers, Homes for the Aged, DIDD Residential Centers, Group Homes)   

• First Responders with Direct Public Exposure including Jailers   

• Individuals >18yrs who cannot live independently due to serious chronic medical condition or intellectual or developmental disabilities   

Age Group Bracket:   

• 65 years or older, must be Hamilton County resident   

• No specific medical conditions are required   

Information to Know Prior to Appointment:   

• Do not arrive more than 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment.   

• Wear appropriate clothing to get a shot in upper arm   

• Bring proof of Hamilton County residency (if applicable)   

• Bring proof of Hamilton County employment (if applicable)   

• Bring proof of age (if applicable)   

• Bring COVID-19 Vaccine Encounter form (if possible; form available for download on registration page)   

• Be prepared to wait 20 minutes after shot   

• Be prepared for the entire process to take an hour or more   

Vaccination Record Card:   

• When patients receive their first dose with the Health Department, they will receive a Vaccination Record Card with the following important information.   

• The vaccine manufacturer (either Moderna or Pfizer)   

• The date the first dose of vaccine was given   

• The date the second vaccine dose is due    

The Health Department states that it is important to keep the Vaccination Record Card because when making the appointment for the second dose of vaccine, it helps ensure the correct product is received and in the correct timeframe.     

The current recommendation is that second dose vaccinations be received either on or after the recommended date on the Vaccination Record Card, not before.