CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – On Monday, Feb. 22, adults 65 years and older, teachers and childcare staff can begin registering for the COVID-19 vaccine in Montgomery County as the state will move into Phase 1b of the risk-based distribution plan.

Staff members of kindergarten through 12th grade schools, pre-school teachers and staff, and childcare facility personnel were bumped up from Phase 2 to Phase 1b in December.

Phase 1b also includes first responder operations personnel – such as administrative staff, dispatchers, communications staff, and other first responders without significant direct public contact – according to Tennessee’s age and risk-based vaccine phase criteria.

Vaccine supply expands

The state made the vaccine available to the 70 and older age group on Feb. 1. Despite moving into Phase 1b on Monday, those in 1a1 and 1a2 of the risk-based phases will remain eligible to receive the vaccine.

“Tennessee has administered more than 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine so far, and we’ve made substantial progress in protecting our senior citizens who are over age 70 through vaccination,” Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey said a news release.

“While we remain focused on our seniors, who are the highest-risk population, we’re able to expand vaccine eligibility to these additional groups as our supply continues to grow each week,” Piercey continued.

“This is good news for many in our community,” Montgomery County Health Department Director Joey Smith told Clarksville Now.

Pregnant women bumped up to 1c

Pregnant women were not originally included in the risk-based phases of the priority list from the state, and were added on to Phase 1c on Tuesday in an announcement made by the Tennessee Department of Health.

While pregnant women were not included in the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials, TDH added that they are at increased risk for hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. This is why the state has included them along with others in Phase 1c, which focuses on those with high-risk health conditions.

Phase 1c is estimated to begin sometime in March.

How to get the vaccine

To register for a vaccination appointment online, visit https://covid19.tn.gov/covid-19-vaccines/vaccine-phases/ to receive a vaccination through the county health department. Click Montgomery County on the map, click “Make an Appointment” to register, then enter the name and contact information to be notified of the appointment date, time and location as soon as the vaccine becomes available.

Individuals who do not have access to the internet should call 866-442-5301 to make an appointment.