NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health has updated Tennessee’s COVID-19 vaccination plan as the state continues to prioritize Tennesseans with the highest risk of illness and death from COVID-19.
The protection of children and adults who are medically fragile
Tennessee has added people living in households with medically fragile children to Phase 1c of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan. Vaccination of their parents, caregivers and other domestic residents will help protect these children, as at this stage no COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for use in children under 16. Phase 1c also includes people 16 years and older who have medical conditions that put them at high risk for serious illness and death due to COVID-19. This group is further defined in the updated plan and appears earlier in the Tennessee plan than in federal vaccination recommendations.
Correctional officers and prison guards in phase 1a1
Tennessee correctional officers and prison guards were added to Phase 1a1 of the COVID-19 vaccination plan in Tennessee. These Tennesseans work in environments and roles that require regular direct exposure to the public through close contact in confined spaces, which puts them at high risk of pulling up and distributing COVID-19.
Prioritization of age-based risk
Age-based criteria run concurrently with the phases in age groups beginning with the age of 75 years and older.