CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is underway in Clarksville-Montgomery County, with several first responders and critical healthcare workers receiving the the Moderna vaccine on Monday, and many others getting the vaccine earlier during Christmas week.
In Tennessee, vaccination efforts are placing first priority on at-risk healthcare workers, including healthcare providers, home healthcare specialists, student providers and hospital staff.
First responders were vaccinated at Civitan Park before several traveled to Tennova Healthcare to help celebrate the arrival of the vaccine in Clarksville.
Last week, an initial high-risk group of first responders were vaccinated.
Sheriff receives COVID vaccine
Among those receiving the vaccine on Monday was Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson, who said it was important for local leaders like himself to set an example.
“I know this is a long time coming. I know everybody has been waiting on some kind of vaccine to come through,” Fuson said. “There’s some folks out there that may have a little skepticism about it, but I kind of look at it like this: This pandemic has really taken a lot of us and turned our lives upside down. Any advantage that we can get to counter that, I certainly want to be a part of it.
“(Law enforcement personnel) get to see a lot of the effects that things like a pandemic has on folks. Both of these vaccines far outweigh the risks. We’ve seen the deaths, and we’ve seen the misery that this thing has caused. We have to do our part to knock it out.”
Vaccinations underway at Tennova
Since receiving their first shipment of vaccines last week, Tennova has vaccinated approximately 250 employees, according to spokesperson Beth Hillner.
“Today, we are celebrating the start of the vaccination process,” said Hillner, who received the vaccine herself last week and had a mild allergic reaction.
“I did have a response to it, but it was really very mild,” said Hillner. “I was actually excited that I had a response. It meant that my body was doing what it was supposed to be doing. When you get any vaccine, your body should respond.”
Officials stress 2-shot system
Both Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines require two doses to be effective, with the second dose being taken approximately two weeks after the first.
For those receiving the vaccine, Smith emphasized the importance of following through with a second dose.
“It’s important to note that these Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are not interchangeable. Each patient must receive two doses of the same vaccine to be protected against COVID-19,” said Smith.
When will more vaccines be available?
While the number of vaccines is currently limited, initial supplies in Montgomery County are expected to be enough to cover the first phase, according to Joey Smith, director of the Montgomery County Health Department.
Hillner said vaccine distribution largely depends on state leadership.
“Really we are at the mercy of the state of Tennessee right now,” said Hillner. “They let us know how many we’re going to get, what brand, whether it’s Pfizer or Moderna, and when we are going to get it and we put our plan into action at that point.”