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NASHVILLE (December 13) — Hope is on the way with a new vaccine from Pfizer for the COVID-19 pandemic. The two-dose vaccine rolled out on December 13 from Michigan via FedEx and UPS and is making its way to patients throughout the states. It will take months for everyone who chooses to be vaccinated to receive an adequate supply.
The Tennessee Department of Health today announced the state has received its first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine ahead of statewide shipment on Thursday. The state obtained an early shipment of 975 doses to hold as an emergency backup supply should any receiving hospital’s supply be damaged.
With the Emergency Use Authorization issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommendations released by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices or ACIP, Tennessee anticipates receipt of 56,550 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine this week. Vaccines should be shipped on Wednesday for delivery to 28 sites covering 74 Tennessee hospitals on Thursday, Dec. 17. Tennessee expects a second shipment of 56,500 doses of this vaccine approximately three weeks later.
“We have been preparing for months to distribute approved vaccines and we believe this will be a safe and effective tool in the fight against COVID-19,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “Our initial supplies of this vaccine are limited, but we are in constant contact with hospitals to prepare administration for our front-line health care workers and long-term care facility residents and staff who choose to receive it.”
The first and second Pfizer vaccine shipments will be used to provide first and second vaccine doses to individuals qualifying for Phase 1a1, as detailed in the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for Tennessee.
In the meantime, the worldwide pandemic continues its spread. On Sunday, Tennessee reported 454,305 total cases in 2020, that’s up 11,352 in a single day. Deaths in the state now total 5,462, up 62 in a single day. The good news on Sunday was hospitalizations were down 55 persons to a total of 2,680. The bad news is the virus affects people differently. A 50-year old EMT in Weakley County contracted the virus and died over the weekend.
COVID-19 is the new leading cause of death in the United States, surpassing heart disease. It is a pandemic that is peaking the capacities in the nation’s hospitals.
Carroll County has 2,716 total cases in 2020 (1,938 last week), 39 deaths (36 last week), 55 hospitalized (55 last week).
Henry County has 1,907 total cases (1,681 last week), 26 deaths (23 last week), 47 hospitalized (46 last week).