This story was last updated on April 12.
Shelby County is vaccinating everyone age 16 and older after the state gave Tennessee counties permission to move through vaccine phases at will. Thousands of additional vaccine appointments are available each week, thanks to the federal vaccination site at the Liberty Bowl.
The site, an expansion of the existing Pipkin Building site, will be jointly run with the city of Memphis and will have the capability to vaccinate 3,000 people a day. Due to low demand, the Pipkin is accepting walk-ins from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Walk-ins can get first or second doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
WBBJ TV
March 11, 2021
The Memphis VA Medical Center says they’ve distributed thousands of COVID-19 vaccines so far.
“We’re not turning anyone away. Our goal is to get a shot in the arm of a veteran of anyone who wants one,” said Kevin Freeman, chief of pharmacy services for Memphis VA Medical Center.
Now, moving to Jackson, with a new weapon in the fight against COVID-19.
“I think this will be a game-changer, not just for us but across the country in terms of a one-dose vaccine,” Freeman said.
The clinic is distributing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. These veterans say they would have been happy with any of them, but this makes it a lot easier.
Christ Community Health Services is offering COVID-19 vaccines at clinic locations in Memphis and Jackson. Register by texting the word Vaccine to 91999. You will receive a text back with instructions for online registration.
Veterans can be vaccinated at the Memphis VA Medical Center.
Here s the latest COVID-19 case data in Shelby County
Case growth: The county has recorded a total of 93,246 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, including 262 new cases reported Thursday. There were 1,524 active cases Thursday, according to the latest data from the county health department, up from the 1,400 reported the day before.
The county s infection rate how many people are infected by each person sick with COVID-19 was estimated as 1.1 as of April 15, according to COVID Act now. Health officials want this number at 1.0 or below to keep the pandemic in check.
What you need to know about changes to COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Shelby County Corinne S Kennedy and Samuel Hardiman, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Vaccine expert anticipates vaccine distribution to improve, despite rough start
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As the city of Memphis assumes control of the COVID-19 vaccination process in Shelby County, city officials said the transition has so far been seamless and, for now, residents will not need to do anything differently to get access to the vaccine.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said on Thursday morning, Memphis Fire Department personnel transported more than 6,000 vaccine doses to eight sites for distribution, including two sites specifically for teachers.