NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL)- Monday afternoon, Governor Bill Lee made an announcement on social media about upcoming vaccine eligibility for all Tennesseans.
Governor Lee said starting April 5, all Tennesseans ages 16 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
In the video posted to Governor Lee’s Facebook page he said in part, “No later than April 5th, every Tennessee age 16 and up will be eligible to receive the vaccine.”
He added that Tennesseans 55 and older and those who work in “critical infrastructure industries” are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
At a TDH briefing on Monday, Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey said Tennessee expects 311,000 total doses in the state this week.
By next week, over 350,000 doses are expected to be available. Piercey also said an increased amount of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be available next week.
“I hope we don’t have to talk about vaccine phasing anymore. Because we’re finally, finally at a point where supply is opening up enough where we can make all Tennesseans eligible,” she said.
Piercey said opening up eligibility to all adults may create heightened demand in locations where vaccine availability is already low, but state officials believe this strategy will be the fastest way to get the most Tennesseans vaccinated in the long run.
